This morning, the sun rose through a beautiful orange haze. This was some 600m away through the eye of a long lens, and it looked even better in real life.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 600mm |
| ISO | 800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/4000s |
Tag Archives: Blarney
The Calm Before The Day
The sun rose this morning a few minutes after 7am, but this is what the sky looked like about 8 minutes before. There was a glorious orange glow and the clouds were lit up from underneath by the sun coming around the globe and shining through the atmosphere.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 26mm |
| ISO | 500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/125s |
The Blues Brothers in Action
The Cannonball Run brought a burst of excitement to the streets of Blarney back in 2018 despite the rain that day. It appears I only posted one photo from that day before. I must dig out more!
| Aperture | ƒ/7.1 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 105mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
It snowed this morning
It snowed for the first time this winter in Blarney. It was raining so, at least around here, the snow didn’t settle on the roads. All the snow is gone by this stage, but it’s cold out. Hopefully, the wet ground doesn’t freeze.
| Aperture | ƒ/1.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 75mm |
| ISO | 2500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/15s |
Snow on the road
It’s turned cold in Ireland, and we’re expecting snow overnight, but Met Éireann says there’s a 20-45% chance of snow, so it might just be another cold day tomorrow. Hopefully, it doesn’t rain and freeze.
Don’t be fooled, this image is from January 2021.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.4 |
| Camera | SM-G965F |
| Focal length | 4.3mm |
| ISO | 50 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1100s |
The October ’24 Aurora
Yesterday, I noticed that Henry was warning us (in Blarney Photography Club) that there was likely going to be a great display of aurora borealis that night. I’m recovering from a cold, so I was just going to stay in and watch TV, which I did. Nothing was going to get me out into the cold night.
I woke up this morning around 2am and saw a message from my sister where she sent on a fabulous photo of the aurora in the sky over her home. Already feeling FOMO, that was the last straw and I got out of bed and drove down to the River Martin walk to photograph the sky silhouetted by the hills on either side. I hoped there would be some sort of reflection in the water of the pool, but it wasn’t strong enough.
I should have gone home then, but I’m glad I drove up to Waterloo Church and you can see some of the photos I took there too.
The temperature had dropped from 2.5C to 0.5C in the time I was out and my camera battery had gone from 57% to 0%, and a torch battery had succumbed to the cold too.
To my eyes, I could see a green glow, but the pink and purple were only really visible in the photos. I could make out the red in the sky behind the church, though. A remarkable display.
There’s a good chance of more aurora tonight. I need to lie down now for a nap. zzzz
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 640 |
| Shutter speed | 60s |
Sunset over Ring Wood
The Ring Wood in Blarney last night just after the sun set behind me and there was a lovely glow at the horizon.
In the next few years, houses will be built in that field, possibly obscuring this view from across the valley.
| Aperture | ƒ/4.9 |
| Camera | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Focal length | 27.2mm |
| ISO | 64 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |
Mom and Calf
A cow and her calf lying on the grass, enjoying the April sun in a field near Blarney Castle in 2022. So serene.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 600mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Griffins stand guard in Blarney
Griffins sit at the points of the roof of the gatehouse at the main vehicle entrance to Blarney Castle. It’s a private entrance, so if you’re wondering where it is, go back towards the village from the tourist entrance and turn right across the bridge and go 20m down the road. It’s on your right and you can’t miss it.
The house sits alongside a long straight road to the grounds of the Castle.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 115mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Sunset Clouds
A nearby tree and bushes were silhouetted against the dying light of the sun, as it had just set behind the distant hill.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 125 |
| Shutter speed | 1/125s |
Blarney Castle at sunset
Blarney Castle can be seen above the trees of the surrounding area as the sun set last Thursday evening. Blarney Photography Club took the opportunity of a lovely evening to walk around the village and nearby to photograph the area. This photo is, of course, taken from Ring Wood, off Station Road.
Did you know that membership of Blarney Photography Club is now open to all (over 18s)? The new season starts in September and the club is holding an open night on September 5th at the local secondary school. Doors open at 7:30pm. I’ll be there, as will other members of the club. The famous Beginners and Improvers Photography Course will start the following week, and the 8-week course is great value at only €75. You’ll also become a member of the club, so you’ll be welcome to our weekly meetings, outings, competitions, practical sessions and more.
Visit the Club open night web page for further details!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |
The look of a cat
Hoppy, curled up and asleep one afternoon, looks over at me in curiosity. No, I didn’t have any treats. Back to sleep she goes.
| Aperture | ƒ/1.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 75mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/80s |