I spent the weekend at home in Wexford.
Before leaving yesterday (Sunday) evening, my mother (Phyl); her three eldest grandchildren, Shauna, Atlanta and Savannah; Rusty (the most blogged about dog in Wexford) and I all set off for a walk on nearby Duncannon Beach.
The wind was really strong, the tide was right in, it was freezing cold… and a lot of fun!
The sun was setting as we came back up the beach too, which made for a pretty picture – one I don’t do justice to with these photos.
Thanks as ever to my willing young models and apologies to their mother (Amy) for sending them home slightly wet and mostly covered in sand!
Footsteps in the sand (Atlanta)
Rusty and Shauna
Phyl and Savannah
Savannah
Koala in the long grass
Messing
The result of the messing – Savannah came off worse!
More messing
One of the two poor, dead seals we came across…
And the other one
Savannah
Shauna on the first of the two crucial rocks for the stream crossing
Atlanta and Phyl
Sisters jumping!
Looking towards the South Beach housing estate
Atlanta and her cold face!
Savannah preparing for take off
Atlanta taking off
Granddaughter and grandmother fleeing the waves as the sun disappears
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About Conor Cullen
I purchased my first camera in May 2012, around the time of my 30th birthday, and it has now become the primary way I populate this site.
I couldn't afford a Porsche.
I'm very much a beginner in photography terms, but I'm having fun trying things out and, hopefully, learning as I go.
I'm addicted to chocolate and have a serious pastry fetish. Especially if those pastries are Danish.
I can't stop listening to music, all the time.
I share many things in common with many older Irish ladies, like a devotion to good cups of tea and a deep love of jumpers that, for some reason, other people don't consider so "cool" unless I'm wearing them ironically.
I'm not wearing them ironically. I wouldn't even know how.
My current favourite jumper is mustard in colour and features three ducks, reminsicent of the ones from Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo. It was a present. Thanks Naomi.
I come alive when I'm creating something or helping someone. I have yet to put this knowledge to satisfactory use. The quest for truly worthwhile living continues.
I am a peaceful person, but if I am ever to be convinced to go to war for any cause your best bet is good manners. I'm not all that moved by religion, power or money, but if you don't just hold that door for a second I could become John Rambo. In a skinny, passive aggressive kind of way.
I love trees.
I have a dog called Rusty. He is very handsome, friendly and charming and will feature in many of my photographs.
Much like me, all Rusty wants is generous amounts of food and attention. And a beach to play on.
The thing I want to hear about most is ideas.
I have a strong interest in digital and social media platforms, particularly how they can be used (imaginatively) in a communications context.
I’m a sandwich enthusiast and innovator. All sandwich suggestions welcome.
The views expressed here are solely and wholly my own etc
Wow, dead seals. Are those common at your beach?
No, not really. Especially not fully grown ones like those two. The really rough sea in Ireland (biggest waves in the world right now off our west coast) may have played a part, but that’s just speculation.
Reblogged this on chaotiqual.
Great photos Conor, especially the young ladies jumping for joy! Nice colors in the sky too. Too bad the seals wash up the beach. A stinky mess I suppose.
Ya, it’s not pleasant – the poor seals. Thanks John, glad you liked them! It was a nice sunset.
A wonderful thing about blogs is that they enhance our ability to enjoy the sights and experiences of friends far away. Thank you as always.
You’re most welcome Ann, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
How lovely and beautiful. Great shots and moments!
Thanks Anette
Great shots Conor, the photos of the little ladies are precious, They are cuties.
It’s a shame about the seals. Keep up the good work
Marks
Thanks Marks! They are cuties alright
Ya, you rarely come across two mature seals washed in like that, it is a shame.
Nice Day, Connor Cullen! those are some cute kids! I still have the bones I collected from a really stinky dead seal on a beach… even the dog was barking at me to get away from it. And why are those rocks placed that way? Do people even know? When we find odd rock groupings or cleared spaces on the beach, it is from Native Canadian people’s fish wiers or canoe runs… very cool.
They are placed that way (I think) to stop people driving to that side of the beach. People drive onto and park on Duncannon Beach, even on days like yesterday when the tide was right in. The right, over by Duncannon Fort, is more dangerous. That’s far less interesting than the reasons you outlined though
Ya, well OK – we have those too!:)
Really great photos – will be back for a longer look and a read of your blog!!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy
Such a beautiful place, captured in a lovely way!
Thank you very much!
Loved the photos! And you bring back memories to me. I have two younger sisters and we also wore matching outfits!
Thanks! Ya, the two girls are often matching – very cute! Glad you got a nice trip down memory lane
That looks idyllic. I’ve never been to Ireland but I’d love to visit. Hopefully soon! 2013 is the year I am making my travel dreams happen.
There is absolutely no better resolution than that! When you are coming, hit me up for advice and info
Beautiful pics!! So MANY great ones!
Thanks very much, you’re too kind
Wow , what lovely images…………. these are very special!
Thanks Sally, really glad you like them!
Great pictures!
Thanks Salim!
That is really sad about the poor seals. I think they are prone to illness and disease just like humans., so who knows. As an occasional but year-round sea-swimmer, I’d be more alarmed if they had large, shark-sized bites taken out of them. Lovely pictures. Are those goal posts on the beach!? Just, they seem to be facing the sea… Either the tide goes a very long way out… or Duncannon FC are expecting to take on a team of dolphins.
Ha! The tide goes out a very long way and it’s a great beach for all sports, flat and good, solid sand. Which is why it gets lots of cars too. No-one really uses those posts though.
No shark bites, thankfully.
Hi Conor,
Thanks so much for sharing beautiful moments in a beautiful place. Sorry about the seals though a shame. Here in Florida I come across unfortunate wildlife to and it breaks my heart. -Steve
Hi Steve, thanks very much for the kind words, you’re most welcome. It’s always sad alright.
Conor, your photographs are wonderful. I love the jumping sisters picture. What great fun walking on the beach it must have been and the children are perfect subjects for a photo shot. And, I see it all ended with a lovely sunset. Nice!
Hi Mary, thanks so much, it was a pretty fun evening all round I have to say
Fabulous captures Conor! Enjoyed each image. Blessings, Robyn
Thanks Robyn
Beautiful photos.
Thanks Noah
Phenomenal, particularly the last one and all of the images showcasing that seagrass lit up by the sun and blown madly by the wind. Great post!
Thanks a million!
Love Atlanta taking off. You really captured a moment there.
Thanks Kimberly
Oh Conor, I love this post of yours! Your photographs are stunning! Everytime I came upon a new one, I thought, “Oh, this one is my favorite!”….and then I would look and see another and say the same thing again. I smiled through your entire posting. What a gift you bring. Thank you, my friend. xoJulia
Thanks Julia. That’s very kind of you to say. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and felt the sense of fun that we all had on our walk
It was a marvelous walk and I enjoyed it tremendously! Thanks for taking me along! ha ha
Wow! Spectacular photos!!
Thank you very much!
Wohhhh! Amazing scene.
Thanks very much, it was a beautiful, wild evening.
Yep! I love all these scene. Cold yet perfect!
Happy, happy, happy, (dead seal, dead seal), happy, happy, happy…
Great shots, Conor!
Ha!
Thanks!
Yes, good enough photos for me to wish I were there….
That’s high praise indeed, thanks
Pure beauty!
Thanks Andrew
Beautiful!
Thanks!
Wonderful pictures and lovely sisters. My favourite is the jumping sisters
Thank you. They are great girls alright!
I don’t know what it is Conor about your pictures but they just get me smiling and teary at the same time. The picture of Savannah embracing the water and horizon with her arms outstretched was the one that really got me! You really have a gift for not only capturing landscapes but the essence of your subjects. Thank you for this beautiful post!
Thank you. That really is some wonderful feedback, I’m glad you like them so much and really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for the re-blog too!
Reblogged this on saymberblondi and commented:
Conors pictures never fail to make me smile and often get me teary like this post. The picture of Savannah embracing the elements is just so touching. Enjoy! Conors blog is definitely one to follow!
Just to clear up the mystery of the dead seals. The two this week can be added to the six last week. They are being accidentally killed by the intensive sprat fishing being carried out in the estuary. They are getting drowned in the nets and getting hit by the propellers of the fishing boats. As they say you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.
Cheers for clearing that up, John. I knew it was odd. All these years I’ve been walking beaches I’d never seen two fully grown seals washed up on the beach so close to each other.
These put a smile on my face. Oh, kids…they make the greatest photo subjects. And the beautiful land and sea certainly help.
That’s for sure! Hard to go wrong really!
Just to say that I am nominating you for the very inspiring blogger award. You are. Look at all the comments! http://writingthebody.wordpress.com/
Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you!
It is my pleasure – look at all those people who love your photos, as I do. You not only capture the light in people’s eyes, especially of your family, but you also capture that wild and lovely beauty of nature, and indeed of Ireland itself. Inspiration indeed!
Stunning images! I really enjoyed looking through them : )
Thanks very much
How wonderful! As always, there are several that go beyond just a “picture” or a “portrait”- they grasp at a narrative.
Thanks so much Megan, I really appreciate that.
Great walk, except for the seals. Poor little souls. Nature can be rough.
Ya, except, according to the well informed source above, it is fishing nets that killed those seals. Mankind can be rough too.
Great photography, very inspiring. And the lovliest 2 girls I have seen in a long time, just wonderful. Stay happy!
Love
Dina
Thanks Dina! Much appreciated and I’ll pass that on to the girls
Your mother lives within walking distance of that water?! I can feel the joy everyone was having. Are the girls sick now? You’d be their Uncle? I would say you did a proper job of it. Uncles are the worst for the parents, & the best for nieces & nephews…Beautiful, joy filled photos. Thanks for taking me along & your 7 billion fans!-amy
Not walking distance, but a short drive. It’s a short drive to a lot of beaches from my home place. Sick? They’re young and hardy and were well wrapped up – they were doing what kids should do! And yes, I may be guilty of some uncle sins, but my sister doesn’t mind too much! Glad you enjoyed the photos, Amy!
glad to know you knew i was just kidding around! Sarcasm is the same the world over. Good to know.
Sarcasm?
Thanks! Just back from a cold climate myself, some snowy pics to follow soon!
Connor, I cant wait to see your snowy pictures! my Jaw will hit the floor again, I’m sure.-amy
Enjoy Amy
Oops, I gave you an american spelling. Sorry Conor
Ha! No worries!
Wonderful photographs….
Thanks very much!
This are some great pictures. Make me want to take a vacation. Thanks for sharing them.
Thanks MIke, glad you like them.
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