Sunset over the trees
The sun was already below the treeline when I took this, so all that was left was a band of orange above the horizon. The trees on either side close in far enough to frame the sunset on a lovely warm evening.
A Song Thrush at Dusk
The thrush was sitting on a branch in a cherry tree in the grounds of Blarney Castle late in the evening, and it stayed put long enough for a few frames. The next photo is a blur as the bird looked the other way, and the following photo is of a bare branch. The thrush…
Blarney House at the End of the Drive
Blarney House lies about 500m from the famous Castle, but I bet many of the tourists that come to visit the castle never go over to visit it, or walk around the grounds.
The tree on the ridge
I took this from the Coachford Greenway, shooting through the ditch instead of over it, which is why you’ll see the frame of dark leaves and grass. The sky was flat grey and heavy. A few minutes later it started raining, but I had an umbrella, and I had a couple of nice photos. Worth…
Feeder traffic at Carbery Cottage
The feeder at Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge on the Sheep’s Head is inside a rusted steel cage, so I couldn’t get a single photo without bars in it. It also stops crows and larger birds getting at the food! The great tits were juveniles, still yellow in the cheek and a bit ragged about the…
Bumblebee on a cardoon
The cardoons in Blarney Castle Gardens have been left to flower, which is what you do if you want bees rather than dinner. This one was about the size of my fist, and the bumblebee had worked its way into the lower edge of it, half buried in the purple. I shot it zoomed in,…
St. Patrick’s Night on the water
The fireworks went up from a barge moored out in Cobh harbour, and the launch point sits right there at water level, a small fountain of sparks and smoke below the main burst. Unfortunately the barge drifted with the current, and it ended up quite far down the town, probably away from the main crowds!
The Last Days of the Loretto Extension
The ugly monstrosity that was an extension to the Loretto School in Youghal, in 2023. It was finally demolished in January this year.
Pop In, I Can Help
The pharmacist in the window is beaming and offering to help. “Pop in, I can help & advise.” I don’t think this man checking his phone is a customer.
Lucky Leprechauns
The performing leprechauns are back, sitting next to the new raised flower beds that were installed by Cork City Council recently. They love the attention but they are loud.
Old Port, New Skyline
The stone warehouses along Custom House Quay have sat behind their green doors for as long as I can remember. Behind them the glass offices construction of the Railyard Apartments tower climbs up, with two cranes over the work. Two eras. Old and new.
Three People, Three Phones, One Street
Opera Lane on a Tuesday morning, and three people in a row are looking at their phones.