In Camera...Clear Winter Days

The last few days have been more like winter should be, cold, clear crisp air and blue skies and low, strong winter sunshine have brought some colour back to the landscape. The image above shows the dunes at Formby on the Sefton coast with some flooding in the foreground, a remnant of the heavy, continuous rains of the the last couple of months, reflecting the blues of the sky.

Later the same day at Crosby beach the sun sinks into a band of cloud spreading from the west, casting a curtain of warm golden colours across the cold winter scene, the seabirds in constant motion against over the cold waters; their raucous calls the only sound in the clear air.

In Camera ... "Strands" and Formby Beach

Afterglow on the sand dunes, Formby Point

Last Saturday I attended a very informative book signing and reading by Jean Sprackland at Formby Books in Formby. Jean, an award winning poet and writer, has lived in Ainsdale for the last twenty years and her newly published book "Strands" is a very informative look at a year in life of the stretch of coast between Southport Pier and Formby Point.

I had just finished reading the book and it is fascinating reading for anyone who loves walking along a beach and it especially appeals to those who are familiar with this stretch of coastline, an area that I have photographed many times. I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone who loves walking, nature and beaches anywhere. One chapter discusses walking alongside the 5000 year old footprints that appear from time to time, some of which I have pictured below.

The beach between Formby and Ainsdale

Ancient Footprints in the mud