Hebrides Countdown 2010...

OK - this is to prove a point. I've long commented on how clear the Hebridean waters are, rhapsodised over the marvellous clarity of the waves, and generally sung the praises of pollution free waters. Here is the proof. If you look carefully, you'll notice that the seaweed in this shot is floating - that's because it was taken looking directly down through water.
So - you believe me now?!
Robyn

Kung Hei Fat choi!

It was the London Chinese New Year Celebrations today, and as ever it was a great day out.  The overwheming impressions all day are of colour, aroma, and the broad smiles on the faces of those involved in the celebrations. Everywhere you look there are stalls selling good-luck trinkets, childrens toys, and all manner of foodstuffs from "Dragons Beard Candy" (Kind of like a very fine angel-hair sort of stuff) to the more standard sort of egg fried rice and sweet & sour chicken (Can anyone guess what we had for lunch?!). The other thing you see everywhere are the chinese lanterns in the picture above. In past years they have been pretty much all red (traditionally a symbol of good luck in china) however this year they varied dramatically in colour - including these pink and green ones!
Robyn

In the sand....

Sorting through last year's holiday photos I came across almost a whole days worth I'd never remembered to process.  The shot above was one of them, and one of the first I set to processing as there was just something I liked about it. Quite often I come across a shot that really grabs me at thumbnail size, but almost as often it stops grabbing me quite so forcefully when I get it into PhotoShop and start playing. This one continued to grab, I'm pleased to say, so here it is. Luskentyre Beach, Harris. Possibly one of the most beautiful places you could imagine.

Robyn

Hebrides Countdown 2010...

And just the incentive I need to start posting on here again - Easter is looming and, more to the point, I am finally trying to get to grips with Canon's "Digital Photo Professional" software. I have also finally got around to installing HDRSoft's excellent Photomatix pro HDR software onto the laptop, and will be aiming to do a bit more practise with it before we head back to the Hebrides.
The shot above was taken on the way back last year - we crossed from Kylerhea on Skye to Glenelg on the mainland on the "little ferry", and this view was just a few miles up the road from the jetty at Glenelg. I think this year's plan involves heading straight back over the Skye bridge and then taking a short diversion to go and take a look at the Falkirk Wheel, although no doubt we will judge it on the day depending on weather.
Robyn