by David Clarke | Aug 29, 2012 | All, Italy, Places
Vernazza is one of the five ‘Cinque Terre’ towns on the Ligurian coast of Italy, and for me, I think, the favourite. Maybe that is as much to do with a couple of delicious meals of fresh anchovies I’ve eaten there as the picturesque nature of the town.
The Cinque Terre is a beautiful area of rugged hills on which vineyards and olive groves cling for dear life, tranquil walks along the 12 km coastal path and four lovely towns – I wasn’t so taken with the fifth, the larger Monterosso, which can be seen in the distance in this shot, although it’s a good place to start your walk.
Very busy in the summer season, the area is probably best visited in the spring, autumn or even winter since its benign climate means that it’s never really cold.
Canon 1D MkII with Canon 17-35mm f2.8L lens at 20mm; ISO 200 f5.6 1/1000
by David Clarke | Aug 25, 2012 | All, Kenya, Places
This shot was taken from a helicopter as we flew round the peaks of Mount Kenya. Here we were to the north-west of Batian, the highest peak on the mountain at 5,199 metres (17,057 ft). The second highest peak, Nelian, at 5188 metres (17,021 ft), can be seen on the image just to the right of Batian. The large glacier beyond Nelion is the Lewis Glacier while in the foreground are Northey Glacier (higher) and the Forel Glacier (lower left). The green lake to the right of the image is the Teleki Tarn.
Image taken on a Canon 40D with a Canon EFS 10-22 mm lens at 10mm; ISO 400 f4 1/800
by David Clarke | Aug 19, 2012 | All, Places
Bratislava isn’t a very big city, but it is home to a number of breweries, including Budweiser, and hence now suffers from being a Ryan destination for lager louts on a weekend’s boozing and stag nighting, and loutesses on hen weekends. This can’t give the Brits much of a reputation around town. There is, however, quite a quaint and historic city centre. On a sunny day, there are street cafes among the old buildings and plenty of activity. Near the main square, which is surprisingly small for the main square of a capital city, you come across a number of odd statues including this one of a paparazzo of 100 years ago peering around a corner with a rather modern long lens.
by David Clarke | Aug 15, 2012 | All, Italy, Places
This interesting sculpture can be found in Siena on the way into the town after leaving the piazza in front of the church of San Francesco.
It is a modern work – 1995 – but it is connected with one of the ancient contrade of Siena: the Bruco (caterpillar). This contrada has always been associated with the silk trade and on the sculpture can be seen a rose hanging by a thread on which there us a crowned caterpillar – the symbol of this contrade. The Bruco contrade is part of the huge spectacle of the Palio every year in the Campo di Siena. It is one of only four ‘Nobil’ contrade, having been given this title back in the 14C.
The small image on the right shows the sculpture in relation to the surrounding buildings, as well as the flag of the Bruco contrada.
by David Clarke | Aug 11, 2012 | All, Kenya, Places
Sunset on the Masai Mara in Kenya is a magical time. The light to the west changes through all shades of yellow, orange and red as the ball of the sun sinks to the horizon. For many animals, it signals the time to take more care: the hunters are arousing from their daytime reverie and thinking about supper. For others, it’s just another day over.
Another shot from my pre-digital days. Canon EOS3 with Canon 300mm f2.8 lens using Fuji provia film.
by David Clarke | Aug 7, 2012 | All, Italy, Places
Dusk over the Campo, Siena with the Town Hall and Bell Tower centre stage. This most famous of all town squares is magical at all times of day and all times of year. It is usually packed with tourists so I was lucky on this chilly December evening to catch it more or less deserted.
Canon 1DMkII with 17-35 2.8L at 17mm, ISO 400 f2.8 1/20
