Friday, 17 April 2015

Carr Mill Dam, St Helens

Carr Mill Dam is situated north of St Helens town centre, in Merseyside. It is the County's largest body of inland water, and offers picturesque lakeside trails and walks, as well as national competitive powerboating and angling events. 

Once simply a mill pond built to power Carr’s Mill, this was hugely expanded in the 1750s to provide water to the Sankey Navigation, (Sankey Canal), about a mile away. 

The lake is a firm favourite, busy with anglers and water sports enthusiasts. It is also a great place for birdwatchers—herons, great crested grebes, coots and various species of duck and gull can be found here.

The name Carr Mill traditionally came from the Norse word 'Carr' meaning marsh or fen. A corn mill was operating there in the 19th century as it is visible on the first Ordnance survey map of the area. 
The dam was further enlarged by the London and North Western Railway during development of the railway system and cast iron marker posts are still visible at two points around the dam.

Carr Mill Dam is also the location of St. Helens' only ancient woodland running alongside the railway line.

I've never visited before, so I only explored a small part of the many paths around its shores.

Fuji X-T1, 18-55mm lens.





The Red Brick Bridge Across The Dam

Arches In B/W 

Down Among The Reeds


Curious Robin

Arches reflections

All the Gear For Fishing

Multi-Arch Reflections


Fun On The Water

Smooth Water Reflections

Enjoying The Views

Smooth Water In B/W

Smooth Water Red Brick Arches

Swan Ripples

Smooth Water Reflections

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Spring arrives on Billinge Hill


Josie and I went for an after-lunch stroll around one of the highest points in the area.

Also known as Billinge Lump, Billinge Hill is the highest point in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens in North West England. It is also the highest point of Merseyside.


It lies within the historic County Boundaries of Lancashire, and is one of the 176 hills graded as a Marilyn in England.

Fuji X-T1, 135mm Itorex lens. This is my latest lens, £9.99 from a charity shop, and it's producing great images!!


Beacon Break

Beacon Rest

Bright Eyes

Feeding Time

Hawk Eye

Number 20

Ploughing The Furrows

Learning From Mum

Three New Friends

Sunday, 5 April 2015

Fairy Glen Easter Sunday

Fairy Glen in Appley Bridge is a beautiful valley created by the Sprodley Brook.

Today the bare Winter trees are just beginning to bud, the Bluebell and Wild Garlic plants are growing green and there is plenty of Spring water in the brook.

In a few weeks the valley will be full of colour.

Just four images today, all at a slow shutter speed to 'freeze' the water and create the milky effect.

Fuji X-T1, 12mm Samyang lens.




An arty effect and border low down in the brook.

The top waterfall as it emerges from the tunnel

The large waterfall in good flow.

The large waterfall flowing into the gorge.