Welcome to my new look fortnightly peek at our travels through my Sony RX 10 camera. An opportunity for me to develop my photography skills whilst also sharing with you some of the joys of our travels.

This fortnight has taken us from the edge of the Dingle Peninsula in Southern Ireland to Killarney National Park and up to the western edges of the Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare. There have been some challenges with this set of photos thanks to the light. Whilst we have had wall to wall sunshine, that brings with it some difficulties with colours not looking authentic. So it’s been a much bigger post-processing exercise than I would have liked and many of my shots have not made it past the cutting room floor. In fact I have been a bit disappointed with my photos and I definitely need to hit the study books to learn more. Anyway here are some of my favourite shots.

1. Dingle Peninsula

Dingle and Slea Head is a spectacular drive if you have the right weather, as I showed you in last week’s blog. These pictures are of the tail end of our 100 mile drive where we ended up at Kilshanning and Fermoyle Strand, Ireland’s longest beach. I loved these Sanderlings as they darted along the water’s edge and hopped on one leg.

2. Killarney National Park

With a Birthday treat at the Muckross Park Hotel and Spa, we were in prime position for Ross Castle and the Muckross Estate. With superb weather on the horizon, it offered ideal conditions for a boat ride on the lake looking back to the 15th Century castle and some of the mountain reflections.

3. County Clare

Just when you think that Ireland can’t get any more spectacular, it shares its winning hand. County Clare is a new area for us, despite our three visits to Ireland. And it really didn’t disappoint. From the joys of the Loop Head drive to the cliffs at Kilkee, Doolin and its UNESCO Cliffs of Moher, it has all been quite spectacular. Here are just some of the moody shots I managed to get as the sea mist came in earlier this week.

Doolin is a pretty little village, very compact and bijou. The Cliffs of Moher however are incredibly difficult to photograph, I found thanks to the light. There’s either too little or too much. So my Big Bertha really didn’t come out to play too much and the one photo I did have just didn’t do it justice. So I apologise in advance for the poor shot, which is I think over edited although I really wanted to include one of the famous cliffs.

4. Creative captures

As always I end our photographic journey with some captures that caught my creative eye. Hope you like them.

These Sika deer were sheltered in a wood on a tiny island we visited by Ross Castle. They have no predators so were pretty tame and allowed for some lovely shots.

So that brings me to the end of my challenging week of photography where light and colours stretched my skills and give me a focus for the next fortnight. Fingers crossed I can get some leverage for my photos with a bit of extra study. /Kx