A Disturbing Peace
Bonamargy Friary
Ballycastle, County Antrim
Ireland
2019

Fairy Tree
Slemish Mountain
County Antrim, Ireland
2019

I posted a color photo of this tree the other day showing the brilliant colors of the countryside. By eliminating color this monochrome version allows emphasizes the twisted shape of the tree which I found quite appealing.

I learned yesterday that these trees are called fairy trees because legend has it they have special power. No one will cut one down for fear of bad luck or calamity. Who knew fairies could be so mean!

Covert Actions
The Cuttings
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2019

I don’t think cows would make very good spies.

Meet the Neighbors
The Cuttings
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2019

Going Off Script
Slemish Mountain
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2019

Even though I prefer working in black and white, I deviate into the world of color when the situation demands it. A sunny day in the Irish countryside is a good bet to make that happen. It’s called the Emerald Isle for a good reason, but throw in some bright blue sky and white puffy clouds and color really rules the day.

Not Every Day
Slemish Mountain
County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Not every day, in fact not even close to every day, is like this in Ireland. But when the sun does come out you are well rewarded.

Open Borders
Slemish Mountain
County Antrim, Ireland
2019

Having been to Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales before I thought myself pretty familiar with stone walls of various kinds. But I don’t believe I’d ever seen, or at least had never made note of, this type of wall construction which is quite common in parts of Northern Ireland.

According to sources on the internet, this type of wall has a number of advantages. They are quick to build (by comparison to other types of stone walls anyway), take less skill, and make the most of rock resources in areas where rocks in fields are harder to come by. They are not as stable as more complicated walls but that is said to be an advantage as well in that animals (and humans) quickly learn it is not a good idea to try and climb over one as it can result in injury from falling rocks.

Into the Thick of It
Giant’s Causeway
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2019

Sea Arch
Dunluce Castle
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2019

Good Fences #3
Buckna, County Antrim
Northern Ireland
2019