THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

1 January 2015

FROZEN


The end of 2014 brought the best weather for me. The ground rang like a blacksmith's anvil underfoot and the glorious sunshine did nothing to thaw it. Sunrise is after 8.00am and the beauty of the landscape as it does so is staggering.












Ice marvels:













A magnificent Frost Flower emerged from a Beech round near Trigger's paddock:



Dead weeds become works of art:



Trigger's Magpie sidekicks are hungry:



GS Woodpecker too:


Welcome to a little glut of new followers! Terra, Mary, Chel and Saffron & Coriander. 

 Jack, Snippet and OB love the ice too. 

 HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! XX




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68 comments:

  1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure1 January 2015 at 14:31

    Well you are right, the light at that time of the morning is stunning I can see it is VERY cold but it gives rise to these wonderful shots of the ice. They are wonderful. I am not surprised that OB and the dogs love the Moors. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family.

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  2. Roos1 January 2015 at 14:32

    Amazing those cristals of ice. The light over the landscape is wonderful. Cold, it realy looks cold but so beautyful. Love the horses and the Woodpecker found some treat.
    A promise for a wonderful new year.

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:37

      Ice is miraculous stuff. I do love photography in winter!

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  3. DeniseinVA1 January 2015 at 14:35

    Glorious Em! Happy New Year to you all :-)

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  4. ann @ studiohyde1 January 2015 at 15:38

    Beautiful photographs Em....Happy New Year :-)

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  5. Anonymous1 January 2015 at 15:38

    A lovely set of photos, Em. My faves- the frost flowers and the one that looks like snakes made of ice have set in the puddle. A Very Happy New Year to all of you from all of us xxx

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:39

      You should have seen the undersides of those puddles once OB and his friend had ripped them up. I just can't imagine how they form! xx

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  6. Sue in Suffolk1 January 2015 at 15:51

    Amazing how frost and ice on puddles make such brilliant photos. You are so clever to notice all these things

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:41

      I spend a lot of time circling them trying to find the best angle with the light catching them just right!

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  7. The Weaver of Grass1 January 2015 at 16:25

    Happy new year to you too Em- and to OB,
    Wonderful frost patterns.

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  8. SeagullSuzie1 January 2015 at 17:16

    Wonderful images of Dartmoor Em. How beautiful it looks in all weather conditions! Happy New Year to you too.

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:42

      Did you have frost in Broadsands I wonder??? x

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  9. Roy Norris1 January 2015 at 17:21

    Some great images to start the new year off Em.
    Al the best for 2015.

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  10. angryparsnip1 January 2015 at 17:24

    Wonderful frozen ice and plant photos.
    Happy Happy New Year to you all.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:43

      Looks like you had your own freeze Parsnip. Not what I expect to see in Tucson! x

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  11. Amy at love made my home1 January 2015 at 18:03

    Stunning photos Em!!! So incredibly beautiful. I hope that you have a wonderful 2015 and that it brings only wonderful things to you and yours and especially to you and OB. xx

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  12. Kath1 January 2015 at 18:39

    What wonderful, chilly photos!
    How are things with OB now? x

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:45

      Good I guess but he's really tired after two nights of his friend staying. Anything out of routine throws him in that way. I'll be so glad to get back to normal! xx

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  13. Sue Clinker1 January 2015 at 18:51

    Amazing photos - think you've had a bit more frost than us down in Kent. My favourites are the first two though, love the light on those ponies.

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:46

      was lucky that pony had a such a conveniently long mane for catching the light Sue!

      Delete
  14. ~Kim at Golden Pines~1 January 2015 at 19:07

    Hello Em! If I were you, I'd be out until all the frost and ice was melted taking photos of the ice and ponies--Your pictures are really amazing and beautiful! I've only seen pictures of frost flowers before, and you captured it perfectly!

    I hope you're continuing to enjoy good weather, and I wish you and your family all the very best for 2015! Happy New Year!!

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:49

      You too Kim. We seem to have exactly the right conditions for frost flowers. I'd never seen them before living up here. They're always on Beech and always sodden so as to have enough water to create such beautiful shapes. They're really quite big. Happy new year!

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  15. Mary1 January 2015 at 19:07

    Oh yes! this is Nature at her best perhaps - painting the landscape with frozen beauty.
    Dartmoor is ever changing, the weather, the plants, the ponies, the birds - and then along comes you and captures it all to share with us who know it, love it, but are now so far away. Thank you, thank you Em - my New Year feels better just looking at your lovely photos.

    Happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2015 - may it be your best year ever!
    Hugs - Mary in North Carolina

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:50

      So different where you are. I'm really pleased to be able to transport you back here. x

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  16. Anonymous1 January 2015 at 19:16

    Like the leafsicle.

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:53

      The dogs seem to like them but not sure I fancy a lick.

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  17. Jane and Chris1 January 2015 at 19:23

    Oh, that second shot seemed to bring the past to the present,for me.
    Jane x

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  18. sweetbriardreams1 January 2015 at 19:23

    The weather certainly took on an icy feel and your photos have captured this perfectly. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year xx

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  19. Elizabeth1 January 2015 at 20:37

    Each photo more stunning than the next!
    So beautifully captured. Thank you thank you!
    And wishing you a wonderful 2015.
    The ice designs are quite magical.

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:54

      I just wish I had a time lapse camera to see how they all form. Happy new year to you too Elizabeth. Am ripping through your book....x

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  20. Linda1 January 2015 at 21:24

    Hi Em.....
    These are beautiful....makes me feel like I am right there!
    Best for 2015 for you and your family....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:56

      It always looks sunny in your world Linda! x

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  21. rusty duck1 January 2015 at 22:20

    The frost flowers are amazing, but I love the shots across the moor with the stunning light.
    Happy New Year Em x

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:56

      I'll be sorry when I miss the sunrise again. It's been a revelation this year. xx

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  22. Morning's Minion2 January 2015 at 00:00

    Almost you could lure me out in the frosty morning--almost.
    Those beautiful photos of the frost patterns could be next year's greeting cards!

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:57

      The dogs have to be walked so I HAVE to go out in it! I'm hoping for some snow to photograph MM but nothing yet.

      Delete
  23. Willow2 January 2015 at 02:38

    Frost always fascinates me in photos .
    Happy New Year Em !

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 20:58

      I could photograph it every day Willow but the boring summer must come again. Lucky we have zoom lenses for the wildlife in summer!

      Delete
  24. Gail H. Ragsdale2 January 2015 at 02:53

    I used to love to walk when we had a hard freeze (or frost). Your photos are gorgeous, loved the first two the best!

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  25. Bridget2 January 2015 at 09:49

    As ever your pictures are simply stunning x Dorset is a beautiful place but I'm still totally jealous of where you live xx Hope your New Year was good and the rest of the year is good to you x

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    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 21:00

      Dorset is beautiful and quintessentially English countryside I think. I spent all my childhood summer holidays there so I love it too. x

      Delete
  26. Ragged Robin2 January 2015 at 11:04

    Beautiful photos of Dartmoor - I love the frosted seedheads! Happy New Year to you and your family :)

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  27. Mark Elderkin2 January 2015 at 17:07

    Pure magic Em! A very happy new year to you and your son. Best wishes - Mark

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  28. Naquillity3 January 2015 at 03:37

    so many beautiful images. that sun illuminated everything so nicely. i love how on of those ice formations look like a leaf. incredible scenery. thanks so much for dropping by even though i've been missing in action for awhile. have a great night~

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 21:02

      I've been missing in action too recently N so I know what you mean!

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  29. Chickpea3 January 2015 at 12:18

    Oh Em, your photos always brighten my day, thank you so much for sharing xx

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  30. Flossy and Lily3 January 2015 at 19:55

    Em - these are beautiful photographs - I love the winter landscape for photogprahy as it is just so much more interesting than a cloudless summer's day!
    Thank you for sharing them with us all - Lily xxx

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 21:05

      I completely agree Lily. Summer is BORING to photograph! xx

      Delete
  31. Down by the sea3 January 2015 at 20:05

    Happy New Year Em. These images are so lovely it must have been wonderful walking on Dartmoor and seeing these sights. Your rainbow in your last post took my breath away too. Sarah x

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson3 January 2015 at 21:07

      That rainbow took my breath away too....in real life. Happy new year. xx

      Delete
  32. Margarethe Brummermann5 January 2015 at 05:14

    I love the backlit ponies. Such a great shot. And those ice sculptures - I spent hours as a child admiring them, trying to take them up and home - and was always so sad when they melted.
    You said I might not see bugs in the snow here - but during the day the Painted Ladies were still flying around. One was smart - it learned to join the hummingbirds at the feeder. We take those feeders inside at night so they don't freeze because it would kill the little birds to be so cold and without food in the morning. Happy New Year to you - I hope to travel in GB some time and see your moors

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    1. Em Parkinson8 January 2015 at 15:27

      Amazing about the Painted Ladies! You're welcome to pop in for a cup of tea if you make it over here Margarethe.

      Delete
  33. Bovey Belle7 January 2015 at 18:29

    Happy New year to you too (belatedly - I've been away). Lovely photos, but made me shiver!

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    1. Em Parkinson8 January 2015 at 15:27

      Lovely to have you back BB. Happy new year to you too. x

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  34. Unknown8 January 2015 at 16:45

    Happy New Year my lovely. I always want a new camera when I pop over here as your pictures are sooooo beautiful. I will just have to make do with my blurrry efforts for another year though, sob sob ;)

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    1. Em Parkinson8 January 2015 at 18:24

      My little point and shoot thing still takes the best macro shots so try that first and they may not be blurred! Happy new year to you too. x

      Delete

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