Not just Nikon

Moderated by: chrisbet,

Bigland Watchtower ExpeditionWhich kinda grew.

Author	Post

Posted by Robert: Wed May 30th, 2018 17:13

1^st Post

When I was a lad, about twelve - fourteen, together with some mates we used to cycle from Cartmel, where we lived, to Bigland, there was a wartime watchtower which looks over the Leven and Cartmel valleys. We used to love climbing it and looking at the great views of the Southern Lake district.

Almost sixty years on, I revisited the watchtower yesterday with Christopher. It was somewhat windy but otherwise a lovely day and a really clear sky.

I didn't know if the watchtower was still complete or had perhaps succumbed to the elements... It's very exposed up there. I was delighted to discover that it's still standing and with caution it's still possible to clamber up to the platform.

During ww2 that area was strategically important because of the relatively secluded inlets and the fact that a lot of wartime munitions were stored in the vicinity.

Anyway... Some pictures! As I say, the object of the visit was to see if the tower was still standing, if so get a couple of pix of it.

The first thing which gives a clue is the shape of an underground bunker which must have housed the members of the Observer Corps who manned the outpost. As we set off for the tower the sound of an aircraft approached, they were keeping an eye on us!!!

Half a mile from the road, along a track, we found the tower, much as I remember it.

This one is for Graham... Haverthwaite and Lakeside Railway, chuffing it's way up to Lakeside, taken with D3 and 70-300 VR, about 1Km away from the watchtower. I can almost read the loco number on the screen at 100%.

This a five frame pano of the Cartmel valley with Hampsfell in the background.

We decide to go get some dinner and return in time for the Sunset.

On our way back up after dinner this Douglas Fir looked rather nice in the reddening light... D3 and 24-120 f/4

A nice bit of lens flare from the D3 - 20mm f/2.8D.

As the sun started to sink towards the horizon... The Coniston and Furness fells form the backdrop.

Just after Sunset, the Corney and Ulpha Fells, with their crags lead up to Harter Fell which is adjacent to Hardknot pass. Harter Fell is the tall one on the right which kind of looks like a volcano.

Harter Fell is central here. These are taken with the D3 and 24-120 f/4

The watchtower at dusk in silhouette.

And finally a surprise, the Moon had risen and as we walked back to the car I spotted this:

Again D3 with the 24-120 f/4.

I also took some IR and a 360-180º pano of the watch tower and surroundings, however I can't afford to subscribe to PTgui yet so given the pano is splattered with PTgui logo's all over, I don't really feel like displaying it yet.

We did consider doing some star trails but went home at ten pm. We had done enough for one afternoon, I didn't fancy staying till two am, it was getting cold.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by jk: Thu May 31st, 2018 06:10

2^nd Post

Nice set of images.
I cant decide which one I like best.

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

Posted by Robert: Thu May 31st, 2018 08:50

3^rd Post

jk wrote:
Nice set of images.
I cant decide which one I like best.
Bit that way myself JK!

I will try to process the IR's later but this heat is sapping my energy. Rain tomorrow. :thumbs:

I just visited another location this afternoon, I drive past at least six times a week but never seem to have the time to stop, this afternoon I did and I was very impressed, Foulshaw Moss just off the A590. A small nature reserve with a breeding pair of Ospreys, young in the nest I believe... They had a (powerful) telescope set up, which just about allowed you to see the tree with the nest in it! Think you would need an astronomy telescope to see the birds.

On a more practical level, there are plenty dragon fly of many types, some lovely wild Iris, lots of really wild ponds teeming with wildlife.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Squarerigger: Thu May 31st, 2018 13:57

4^th Post

Agree with JK, very nice set. Too varied to pick a favorite. Looks like you had a good time visiting the past and it was nice to be able to share that with your son.

____________________
--------------------------------------------
Gary

Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 31st, 2018 18:34

5^th Post

Well done Rodert super set of pixs thanks for sharing them with us!

____________________
Graham Whistler

1st new

This is topic ID = 1542
Nikon DSLR Forums > Photography > Photography > Bigland Watchtower Expedition	Top
Users viewing this topic

Current theme is Blue

A small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondsl.uk Thank you.