North Atlantic Skyline » silver strand http://johnsmyth.ie/blog Despatches from the West of Ireland. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:06:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Silver Strand in gold http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2011/11/07/silver-strand-in-gold/ http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2011/11/07/silver-strand-in-gold/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 06:25:09 +0000 John Smyth http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/?p=3750 Silver Strand in gold
The hill overlooking Silver Strand beach to the west of Galway city is slowly being returned to the sea. It is effectively a drumlin – a giant heap of debris caused by a glacial river melting as the last Ice Age retreated north. At low tide, it is possible to see how big it once was – the field of boulders lying on the beach in front of the cliff were once part of a much bigger hill, long since eaten by the relentless appetite of the sea. Despite the keep out signs, the hill is a much visited spot, and not just by humans. Skylarks thrive in its wild meadow in summer, as do pheasants, while kestrels relentlessly patrol the long grass for prey.
It is also a great vantage spot for viewing the bay. When the boats of the Volvo Ocean Race departed Galway more than 2 years ago, this hill was crowded with people watching the fleet disappear over the horizon. The 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race is underway and their final destination is Galway. No doubt, the hill at Silver Strand will be filled with people welcoming them home.

]]> http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2011/11/07/silver-strand-in-gold/feed/ 2 Sunset Rock http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/16/sunset-rock/ http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/16/sunset-rock/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:39:18 +0000 John Smyth http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/?p=2931 Sunset Rock
A long exposure image of a rock in the water at Silver Strand in Galway. The dashes of red are from the sun setting.

]]> http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/16/sunset-rock/feed/ 0 The Night Ship http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/13/the-night-ship/ http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/13/the-night-ship/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:37:06 +0000 John Smyth http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/?p=2919 5-star-14
Streaks of light from an oil tanker leaving Galway Bay in this long-exposure picture taken from Silver Strand nearly 2 years ago.

The ship was moving from left to right – I’m not sure how the squiggle in the middle line was caused (I think the ship may been turning). The top and bottom streaks are from lights at the back of the ship – the middle one was from the front. Another picture taken a few minutes later can be seen here – and both shots were inspired by this picture taken in Portsmouth 2 years ago.

]]> http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/07/13/the-night-ship/feed/ 1 The Sunshine of Your Love http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/01/21/the-sunshine-of-your-love/ http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/2010/01/21/the-sunshine-of-your-love/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:08:56 +0000 John Smyth http://johnsmyth.ie/blog/?p=2281
Two couples walking in the evening sun near Silver Strand on New Year’s Day.

Youtube link to Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love.

Camera = Canon 7D, len= Canon 15-85mm@44, aperture=f18, speed=1/1250 sec, ISO 200.

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