Latest news with #CameraClub
The Herald Scotland
02-08-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Dorset's best place to spot dolphins is Old Harry Rocks
There's no exact time of year the aquatic mammals can be seen off the coast of Dorset, with advice ranging from late spring to early autumn. However, a few spots have been recommended by enthusiasts and experts as being someone's best options to go to. Two of these are Durlston Head and Old Harry Rocks, which are high above sea level and give visitors a greater visibility range to potentially see dolphins. Dolphins are occasionally spotted off Dorset's coast (Image: Don Williams/Camera Club) Why are Durlston Head and Old Harry Rocks Dorset's best places to see dolphins? Durlston Head is situated within Durlston Country Park and is about 30 metres above sea level, according to its website. Dolphins can be spotted up to one mile offshore from here, and the organisation encourages visitors to report sightings. It adds: "Shoals of fish, that have attracted a group of diving sea birds, may draw in dolphins. "Look out for the dorsal fin of dolphins as they briefly come to the surface to breathe [sic]." Meanwhile, on the southern end of Studland Bay, you can find Old Harry Rocks, which is a chalk formation of cliffs. Pods of bottlenose dolphins have been seen close to Old Harry Rocks and Durlston Head (Image: Rebecca Cooke/Camera Club) Visit Dorset adds: "The chalk formations are popularly known as Old Harry Rocks, but the name Old Harry actually refers to the single stack of chalk standing furthest out to sea." The route leading to the area is popular with both walkers and cyclists and is part of the South West Coast Path. According to the Swanage tourism website, pods of bottlenose dolphins can occasionally be spotted in the sea around the formations. What do visitors think of Old Harry Rocks and Durlston Head? Old Harry Rocks has earned a 4.7/5 score on Tripadvisor from 917 reviews, with many visitors highlighting the views. One person wrote: "Spectacular views close up from cruise ferry. Lovely trip. Unique views which cannot be seen in any other way." Dolphins can be seen off Dorset's coast between late spring and early autumn (Image: Sue Wingett/Camera Club) Another said: "Quite a walk from the car park but definitely worth it for the stunning view. Probably be nice to take a picnic on a nice day to soak it all up." A third shared: "Amazing views. Definitely worth visiting. It is quite a walk from the car park, but worth it. Lots of grassy areas to have a picnic or sit down and relax." Meanwhile, Durlston Country Park has earned a 4.6/5 score on Tripadvisor from 1,240 reviews. Recommended reading: One person wrote: "A hill walker's choice, the sights over Swanage and the English Channel are spectacular, a visit to Durlston Park & the Castle was very educational. "The icing on the cake was the display from the passing Dolphins sighted from Durlston Head." Another shared: "A nice easy walk along the coast path from Swanage, stunning sea views along the route and great places to take pictures from Durlston Head."
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Yahoo
'I like to capture the beauty of where I am especially if it makes me smile'
WELCOME to Behind the Lens, a feature that shines a light on the talented photographers in our Warrington Guardian Camera Club group. This week, we're talking to Carolyn Danson, who is originally from Colwyn Bay in north Wales but has lived in Lymm for most of her life. She was given a camera as a birthday present when she was a teenager and her father's amateur photography had a big influence on her life. If you would like to appear in our Behind the Lens feature, email Click here if you would like to join Warrington Guardian Camera Club. Warrington Guardian Camera Club member Carolyn Danson When and why did you take up photography? As a teenager, I was given a camera for a birthday present and my interest began from then. It was helped by the fact my father was very interested in photography and would talk about it. He did wedding photos on an amateur basis when we were children and developed his own films. He would talk about apertures and speeds and regularly bought amateur photography magazines. He had a creative leaning which I hope I've inherited to some extent. So, he was a big influence. Disappearing sun What do you love about taking pictures? I like to capture things that make me smile and I like to capture the beauty of whatever it is I am looking at, so that it is kept in a physical way. Light changes so rapidly - the image in front of you can go away quickly and taking a photo keeps it as it is, in that moment. Taking photos makes you look at things more closely and makes you more aware of your surroundings. Taking the monthly pictures for the One Photo A Month Challenge in the Camera Club made me realise that the places I saw frequently changed so much throughout the year without me realising. I do still get my photos printed so have a lovely physical reminder. Water reflections READ MORE: 'I love capturing the mood and I love the memories that photographs evoke' Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why? I like to take pictures when I am out with my dog Stanley, usually of him having fun. I like to photograph a variety of views and natural things such as plants and trees etc. I do like to consider light and framing. Lymm Dam features a lot as does the Trans Pennine Trail. I love snowy and frosty shots too. Looking up What is your favourite subject matter and why? My dog Stanley because he's special! He cheers me up and I can catch the look on his face which has many different expressions. I also love views, as nature in all its forms is beautiful. In full bloom READ MORE: Every picture you take tells a story and helps keep memories alive What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook? I enjoy looking at others' photos and sometimes working out how they have been taken. I like the fact posting a photo is a positive experience and enjoy the comments others leave. I've enjoyed doing the monthly photos as they've made me even more aware of my surroundings. I enjoy having a picture of the week to focus on. I think it all helps to encourage you to be more mindful. Along the canal If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be? I enjoy historical buildings, castles, churches and abbeys etc and art as well as culture so a historical city appeals, such as Rome. Florence and Tuscany for similar reasons and beautiful landscapes. Carolyn's dog Stanley
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Super-sized golden moon fills York sky - still 2 days to see the spectacle
DID you see the stunning moon, shining an orange-gold and looming unusually large over York last night? Almost full, hanging low, and looking super-sized, it shone over the city in a beautiful golden colour. Lisa Young took these stunning photos of the moon last night and shared them in our Camera Club group on Facebook. But don't fret if you missed it - the actual full moon will be on Thursday, so you still have a chance to capture its magic. July's full moon is often referred to as the 'buck moon' - representing the time of year when male deer, known as bucks, begin to grow their new antlers. For many it marked the start of the game hunting season. Other nicknames for the July full moon include the Feather Molting Moon and the Salmon Moon. July's buck moon over York by Lisa Young It looks large because it lies close to the horizon. It will also be the farthest full moon from the sun all year. Being so close to the horizon, it may also appear golden or orange, but this will be due to your perspective from earth when observing it, rather than the moon itself, the BBC's Sky at Night Magazine reports. The Buck Moon, which is the first full moon of summer in the northern hemisphere, will turn full on Thursday, July 10. The moon is due to rise at around 10pm. Sunset is set to be around 9.30pm on Thursday night, with clear skies predicted for most of the UK as it heads into another heatwave - so there is an excellent chance of seeing the spectacle. July's buck moon over York by Lisa Young But that's not all - there's something even more unique about this full moon, as it may be spotted alongside some planets. Mars will be visible in the evening sky before it sets at around 11.37pm, according to In The Sky. Saturn won't rise until just after midnight, but you may be able to catch a glimpse of the planet in the morning sky on July 11, before sunrise at around 5am. Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky, will also make an appearance. It will rise at around 2am in the eastern sky. For the rest of 2025, the UK will experience full moons on the following dates: August 9, September 7, October 7, November 5, and December 5. Join our club WOULD you like to see your photographs in The Press and online? More than 2,500 readers have joined The Press Camera Club, which launched in June 2017 and brings together talented photographers from across York and North and East Yorkshire to share their work, swap tips and take part in themed monthly prize competitions. To join the free club, simply search for 'The Press Camera Club' on Facebook - we'd love to see what our region looks like through your lens. We will feature pictures from our camera club in The Press and online regularly. If you like seeing photos of York, please follow us on Instagram too @
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'World's fastest animal' that hits speeds of 200mph spotted in County Durham village
A striking peregrine falcon has been spotted over County Durham. The animal, widely regarded the fastest in the world and capable of hitting speeds in excess of 200mph, was seen over Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield. Northern Echo Camera Club member Michelle Mason photographed one soaring above the village last month. The Peregrine falcons in Bishop Middleham (Image: MICHELLE MASON/CAMERA CLUB) It's not the first time the birds have been spotted in the region, with sightings in Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, the Teesside coastline, and near Durham City in recent months. Peregrine falcons are known for their record-breaking stoops – aerial dives that can reach speeds of 390 km/h (242 mph), allowing them to strike prey with surgical precision. A Peregrine falcon in Bishop Middleham (Image: MICHELLE MASON/CAMERA CLUB) Though their level-flight speed is more modest between about 25 and 35mph, their agility and vision give them the edge in aerial hunting. The peregrine falcon's incredible velocity is owed to its highly aerodynamic body, lightweight skeleton, and robust respiratory system. Its signature hunting manoeuvre – the 'stoop' – allows it to descend upon unsuspecting prey with unrivalled acceleration, reducing air resistance through a specialised wing position and body shape.
The Herald Scotland
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
The historic Hampshire town where Amanda Holden grew up
Some of these have big cultural or historical significance, or maybe have links to famous people. Bishop's Waltham, which is not too far away from Southampton, is where TV and radio presenter Amanda Holden grew up. The market town has plenty of historical background for people to explore alongside nearby walks and well-regarded pubs. Why is Bishop's Waltham worth visiting? According to the Visit Winchester website, Bishop's Waltham is a "vibrant and historic market town set in the glorious Hampshire countryside". It started off as an early Anglo-Saxon settlement sometime between 450 AD and 550 AD, before being burnt to the ground by the Danes in 1001 AD. However, the settlement grew steadily after that, and Bishop's Waltham Palace was built there in the 12th century. Visit Hampshire adds: "An important residence of the powerful Winchester bishops, the palace hosted many royal visitors including Mary Tudor while she waited for the arrival of her future husband, Philip II of Spain, prior to their marriage. Visitors can explore the ruins of Bishop's Waltham Palace (Image: Jeff Hatton/Camera Club) "The palace was destroyed in 1644 under Cromwell's orders but the extensive ruins are worth a visit today." Additionally, the town has a Norman church in St Peter's, a number of restaurants housed in 17th and 18th-century buildings and independent shops. These include the gift shop Tashinga, Josie's coffee shop, the grocer Hylands and the No.60 Coffee and Wine bar. Meanwhile, options for pubs include The Crown Inn, The Bunch of Grapes and The Barleycorn Inn. What are house prices like in Bishop's Waltham? According to Rightmove, house prices in Bishop's Waltham have had an overall average of £401,725 over the past year. The majority of properties sold were terraced houses, selling for an average price of £310,112. It added: "Overall, the historical sold prices in Bishops Waltham over the last year were 8% down on the previous year and 14% down on the 2022 peak of £466,861." Amanda Holden's links to Bishop's Waltham Amanda Holden, 54, is a presenter and actress who is known for being a judge on Britain's Got Talent and co-hosting the Heart Breakfast radio show with Jamie Theakston. She was born in Portsmouth and spent much of her childhood in Bishop's Waltham. Amanda Holden grew up in Bishop's Waltham (Image: Newsquest) At the age of nine, she joined Bishop's Waltham Little Theatre Company, and she attended the nearby Swanmore College. Fans came to see her when she returned to Bishop's Waltham back in 2013, where she was signing copies of her book, No Holding Back. This took place in the Hylands Store, which is a shop where Holden worked in her teenage years. Recommended reading: Speaking on her return at the time, she said: 'I burst into tears at one point when I saw a girl that used to live at the top of my road. It's just been ridiculous. 'There has been a lot of people who are in my book here today and it's like I have summoned them up. 'Then there were people who I didn't recognise at first so I have basically just said 'Do I know you?' to everyone.'
