Sandwell Valley, an October Morning, Pictures

Actually got up this morning and went out and took some photos. I am quite surprised myself. We not the getting up bit, I don't really have any choice, staying in bed with two children who are getting up and need to be got ready for school is not an option especially as my wife has to leave for work and the rest I will leave to your imagination.

I went to Sandwell Valley just outside Birmingham. I got there about 8:30 and although the sky was clear and the morning cold the mist that had risen from the lake had yet to clear. Having parked by the farm I went for a walk around the lake.. this was one of the first shots I took. Away from the lake the sun was out and it was a bright morning. Here the mist still prevailed. I liked the effect of the mist on the light and reflections

I did try and get a couple of birds in the picture but I don't think it worked very well so I carried on walking.

After seeing one jogger go past me and then return a minute later talking animatedly into his mobile, I felt I had the place to myself the mist having the blanket effect keeping out the rest of the world.

Further up the track I came across one of my favourite subjects, teasels lots of them. At this time of year they are brown pin cushions but draped with spider silk and against the background of the grey water they worked well.

I continued walking around the lake, as the sun slowly burned off the mist. Looking up I was able to get this picture of autumn leaves. The blue of the sky contrasts well with the green and red of the leaves.









This contrasted with the view of the lake itself as the mist clung on to surface so from the same position I was able to take this picture of the gulls and coots waiting for the mist to clear.








From this point the path leads away from the water and took me uphill through the trees out of the mist and into the light. Well perhaps the imagery is going over the top a little, but I like the picture I took.

I walked, ambled is probably a better word for it, up to the RSPB centre at the top of the hill and although tempted to stop I moved on down the other side. Nearly all the trees are into the process of producing wonderful colours although mostly green, there is so much red and yellow in the leaves. I don't think I have done it justice.

Further round and down the hill the rive on one side and the lake on the other the sun has finally burnt off the mist and it is a good day to be out. I see a pair of Canada Geese flying towards me and I manage to catch them as they swing past. This is the best one. I am actually quite impressed with my self. Normally I would have put my finger on to the lens or tried to focus on the pylons in the background.

So feeling quite smug, I debated whether or not to run straight home as I was sure this was the high point and it was always good to go out on a high. I decided to carry on, and was rewarded by the view across the lake of the Gulls Cormorants and Coots against the autumn tinges of the far bank.

So just up the path was my car. I had been out for the best part of 2 hours and I wanted a cup of coffee and some breakfast. So home I went.