Summer Idyll

Summer time in the countryside; is there anything nicer? the bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming, the sky is blue and the cows are ...mooing? Well, maybe not the latter; they seem to be doing what they do best –chewing and staring. They're up here for the summer to graze so for them too it's a kind of holiday, even though they are milked daily. Here I was eager to "frame" the cows between the gate posts and capture a little bit of everything that makes me love the Norwegian countryside in summer –the colours, the trees, the clouds. I wish I could have captured the sound too (almost, but not quite, silence) and the many smells, but these you will have to imagine. Perhaps the picture at least helps evoke a feeling –of peace, summer and idyllic days in the country.

Location: Valdres, Norway

Favourite Picture of the Year

Once again, it's time to post my favourite picture of the last year. And once again, it's a picture of a cat! Now, there is no feline nepotism going on here, for this year I have also photographed dogs and many other animals, plus people, buildings, sunsets, trees, views, boats, and a thousand other things; yet sifting through all the pictures I have taken, I somehow always come back to this one from late summer - of the cat I was babysitter to (or was it the other way round !?). Villem. His look is one of superior reproach, saying (patiently but firmly): "No, you're not going to use the computer now, nor look at those books, not while I'm here; you can just forget about anything else and pay attention to me, do you understand?" I love the way he fills the frame, blocking the view of those other things in my life that clearly are of less importance. He was only with me for a short time, left so much of a mark that my flat seemed empty for weeks afterwards. The photograph makes me smile every time I see it. Happy New Year to you all, cats and humans! Location: Oslo, Norway

Favourite Picture of the Year - 1

Well, it had to be another cat –or rather a kitten– and once again it’s from Greece. This beautiful feline was one of two identical siblings who delighted us every lunchtime at the outdoor restaurant we visited each day on the island Samos. They were playful, cheeky, adorable, sleepy, inquisitive, lithe at times gauche at others, sweet and affectionate –most of the time; sometimes all at the same time! Like all cats they could occasionally be stand-offish or disdainful, but as they were kittens this never lasted more than a moment. In their own minds they were tigers or jaguars or mountain lions and loved to climb. I took a series of pictures of them, but this is my favourite, despite the light being a little fuzzy (the sunlight was very strong beyond the shade). I think it captures everything I like about cats –the nobleness, the curiosity, the grace and the determination. So much of the Internet is devoted to pictures of cats dressed up, being grumpy or doing bizarre, crazy things that I thought it about time they were given some respect! Thank you for visiting my blog and please return again –next year is going to see some incredible pictures, right here! Location: Samos, Greece

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 5

With Christmas and the end of the year drawing near I thought I'd round off 2015 by posting my 5 favourite pictures taken this year. I have been photographing steadily all year but there have been numerous technical issues that have prevented me from posting as much as I would like (ideally every day); these seem now to be resolved however and I look forward to sharing lots more photographs and thoughts in 2016. Today's picture was taken on the island of Samos in September and seems to me to capture the essence of a peaceful late afternoon when the sun is no longer fierce and a satisfying nap is the best thing in the world. I love cats for their poise, independence and ability to always find the best spot and never care about what anyone thinks. This chair was usually occupied by a salty boat owner who sat by the quayside of an evening. The cat may have been his, or belonged to the boat. But here, in total relaxedness, the afternoon belongs to the cat! Location: Samos, Greece

Retired Merry-go-round Horses

These horses, that once carried children of all ages on countless revolving journeys on a merry-go-round or carousel, appear now to have now been "retired" and stuck up on display but are certainly no less prominent, energetic or delightful. Indeed, they seem to be cantering still, dancing and leaping in the air and beckoning new generations of visitors to partake of the pleasures of one of the world's finest and most beautiful fairs: the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen. I love it when things get a second lease of life like this - the horses, I feel, do too! Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Defeated Dragon

Discovering something totally unexpected when exploring a place is always delightful. I’ve seen a lot, but I had certainly never come across a conquered (or maybe, merely sleeping) monster before, not to mention a red one! But this is Holland, where everything, however bizarre, seems to be taken in stride; no one else seemed half as interested as I was in this prostrate dragon, lying on its back in the middle of the town. Perhaps it had been there for so long that people simply didn’t notice; perhaps they didn’t care. Or perhaps I was the only one who saw it...? I had, after all, just had a rather large drink... Location: Arnhem, Holland

Thirsty Horse

Salzburg in the summer time: blue sky, pretty white-washed building, lush trees and a horse drinking (or perhaps spitting) water. It is, of course, part of one of the city’s magnificent fountains. I remember this being an extremely hot day, so the fountain’s coolness was welcome relief to tired hands, and the trinkling sound of the water had a calming effect while I rested in the shade. Now, with autumn becoming colder and duller as it moves towards winter, I rather yearn for such days again! Location: Salzburg, Austria

Another Cow

Well, I rather like cows; they're fairly placid creatures and unlike many other animals don't immediately run off when you approach them. I think some even quite like the attention given to them by a curious photographer, and their doleful eyes and casual, lackadaisical manner prove often to be quite photogenic. This particular fine lady is out grazing in the mountains for the summer -a pleasant life indeed! It's a nice, peaceful picture that, for me, instantly conjures up the mood and atmosphere of summer in the Norwegian countryside. Location: Valdres, Norway

Peeping Cow

Another summer animal picture. This cow thought she was invisible or at least unobserved, but my trained eye sussed out her undercover disguise! It just made me smile a little while out walking in the country, where there are delights and colour and surprises at every bend of the path! Location: Valdres, Norway

Sleeping Dog

A hot summer day in Greece. Scorchingly hot. Too hot for chasing cats, or hunting for treats. Too hot for anything, really. Far better to find some shade on cool marble and just... doze; and dream of cooler days. Location: Corfu Town, Greece

Sunbathing Alligator

We had been out on the bayou for quite some time on a slow-moving, low-draughted river boat. The water was slugish and covered with green..something or other, so that traversing it was like sliding across a strange lawn. There were numerous logs floating about, and every time a new one appeared someone would shout "Alligator!" and we would all look down excitedly, only to be fooled again, though sometimes the distinction was none too clear. But then, just as the sun came out properly, I caught sight of the real thing – marvellously "louche" and spread over a fallen tree trunk. I was captivated because it was the first alligator I had seen in the wild. He (or maybe she) eyed us with mild disinterest while I busily took my pictures. I saw several other alligators that day, but none seemed so relaxed or commanding than this one. I was later told that it was just a young one... Location: Louisiana, USA

Contemplating Cow

Another picture from Valdres in Norway; this is one of my favourites because I pretty much felt a sense of solidarity and sameness with this cow in the beautiful mountain countryside on such a lovely day. She seems to be gazing at the view with a sense of utter peace, having found the perfect sunny, grassy spot. I also like the vivid colours and the stillness of the picture -it captures the essential quality of this wonderful place, at least for me. Location: Valdres, Norway

Goats Chillaxing

Every summer for hundreds of years goats (as well as sheep and cows) have been led up into the fertile grassy meadows of the mountains in Valdres to graze "and become fat". They are free to wander where they like, but come in to be milked twice a day. A "supervisor" goat with a bell round its neck leads the way and the others follow, though if they get lost, they can now, thanks to GPS, be fairly easily located. Unlike most sheep and cows– goats are very sociable and curious creatures, and are quite happy to come up and say hello, or allow one to get up close to take photographs, and though they are tremendous "poopers" their presence in the mountains is always charming -some motorists who have got stuck in front of them may of course disagree. Sadly, however, it seems that this is the last summer that the goats will be holidaying up here, due to the imposing demon of the EU who have come up with some kind of new rules to keep them away. Sad because they seem, like me, to be so content here. They certainly seem so in this picture. Location: Valdres, Norway

Cows On Their Way To Tea

All this week I will be highlighting pictures from my beloved Valdres in central Norway. It really is my favourite place on Earth, and I have been going there for 25 years. The first time I was there I took some really fabulous pictures, only to discover later that I had forgotten to put film in the camera! Hopefully my practical photography skills have improved a little since then, even though I am now digital. I took this picture one evening about five o'clock when the cows returned to their barn for the night. Cows in Valdres famously produce the best milk in Norway, and spend the summer months grazing freely all day in the lush mountain grass. But to intice them to return they get a little treat. These particular animals are the lazy ones –the ones who would prefer to stay out all night, and had to be rounded in by a farmer (just out of shot) who sang to them! The cows have bells around their necks, so all in all it was quite a bizarre musical experience. Location: Valdres, Norway

Headless Zebra or Painted Burro or Back End of a Horse!

Some photographs turn out unintentionally amusing, like this one of a donkey -or burro...or zebra.... in a Mexican street. I had hoped to capture the whole of the animal, but of course he had to dip his head just as I took my picture. I am inclined to believe the animal has merely been decorated to look like a zebra, the clue being the "graffiti fest" banner in the background. The stripes seem to be fading a bit around the middle of the animal, adding to the surrealistic nature of the picture. Location: Tijuana, Mexico

Near the Beach Just After Sunset

The "magic" times for photography are very early in the morning and especially that golden spell around sunset and just after, when the light is mellow and warm and inviting. Add some sea, a quiet restaurant by a beach and some unconcerned goats for good measure, and you end up with a picture like this. It sort of says "Thank you" to the beach for a good day spent there, and at the same time lets you know that you are welcome back again tomorrow. For me it instantly conjours up the gentle evening sounds, smells and atmosphere of a long, lazy holiday. Nothing particularly spectacular, but special all the same. Location: Crete, Greece

Dog!

If anyone has ever tried to photograph a puppy they will know what a frustrating experience it can be –they don't always cooperate with the photographer's intentions, composition or ideas, and though they may be cute, angelic and loveable in "real" life, these qualities are not always easily captured on camera. However, this darling little King Charles spaniel was a born poser –a natural, and the camera seemed to fascinate him as much as he fascinated the camera.

Cats That Look Like Hitler

One of the many bizarre but hilarious websites out there is one called "Cats That Look Like Hitler" (check it out here). Unlike many other websites this one is exactly what it says, plain and simple. I have contributed one picture to this vitally important database, taken while on holiday in Greece, though to the cat's defence I should say he had a very sweet nature. However, I am sure that there would also be more than enough candidates if anyone were ever to start a website called Cats That Behave Like Hitler! Location: Crete, Greece

Doggie Underwear

This little pooch spends much of its day in a shop that sells women's clothes, and underwear in particular. And being a very curious dog he (or she) loves to watch people passing by from this silky spot -and what a great advertisement for the underwear!

Location: Norfolk, England

Laughing Policewomen

Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Just about everyone else's cameras are pointed the other way, towards the palace, but I liked the cheerful interaction between these two mounted policewomen as much as the colourful pageant of the ceremony.

Location: London, England