Blog

Blog

Fog in Birmingham, March 2024

A foggy start to the day in Birmingham

Damien WalmsleyMar 10, 20242 min read
Pulling the curtains back, I saw the fog which lifts any photographers spirits.  Fortunately, I had to be in Birmingham early and I knew that I would be able to get some good pictures of Dorridge station in the fog before it lifted.  I was even more pleased that the fog had not lifted by the time … Continue reading Blog
RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024

I joined the RSPB and you should too!

Damien WalmsleyMar 9, 20243 min read
Situated in the Staffordshire countryside, RSPB Middleton Lakes are next door to the Aston Villa Bodymoor training ground.  The area around the lakes offer differing recreation activities with Kingsbury Water Park, Middleton Hall and Drayton Manor funfair nearby. Water is an overarching theme of this part of Staffordshire with both the river Tame and the Birmingham … Continue reading Blog
Oozells Square, Birmingham, March, 2024

Early blossom brings colour to Oozells Square

Damien WalmsleyMar 8, 20242 min read
Oozells Square has featured on my blog over the years.  The appearance of the pink blossom on the trees heralds the start of spring in Birmingham. The square becomes a riot of pink colour and is a magnet for photographers.  This year, the blossom has arrived very early by about 2 weeks.  The warm wet winter has enabled … Continue reading Blog
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024

Night photography on the University of Birmingham campus

Damien WalmsleyMar 7, 20242 min read
This set of pictures features the University of Birmingham at night.  I was fortunate to be staying at the Edgbaston Park Hotel which is on campus.  After the conference dinner ended, I headed out with my iPhone and Fujifilm camera.  I used my travel tripod for some of the long exposure pictures of the Aston Webb building.  The iPhone … Continue reading Blog
Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023

Watching and photographing a starling murmuration

Damien WalmsleyFeb 21, 20245 min read
The message went out.  “There is likely to be a starling murmuration on Sunday night.  The venue will be the roof of a shopping centre car park in Redditch, Worcestershire”.  This message was sent out on social media by Jim Panda who knows a thing or two about wildlife.  A few years back, he had organised a meeting where … Continue reading Blog
Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024

Borealis: bringing the northern lights to the Bullring in Birmingham

Damien WalmsleyFeb 14, 20244 min read
The Bullring centre is hosting a light show called Borealis for one week in February.  This production by the artist Dan Acher is on display every evening during the week.  With a mixture of dry ice smoke and laser beams, the “northern lights” are recreated in the centre of Birmingham.  The performance is accompanied by haunting music which … Continue reading Blog
The Ringway Centre, update February 2024

An update on the Ringway centre

Damien WalmsleyFeb 9, 20243 min read
The decision has been made to demolish the Ringway Centre.  Birmingham council’s planning committee reconfirmed the approval of the planning application by the Commercial Estates Group to replace the Centre with three high raised residential buildings.  This was a reconfirmation of the earlier decision to demolish the Centre which had been contested by the Twentieth Century Society who … Continue reading Blog
Poppy Fields, Leamington Spa, 2021

My poppy photograph in IGPOTY 2024

Damien WalmsleyFeb 4, 20243 min read
The Leamington Spa poppy field sprung up in June 2021.  At the time I was just so happy that the field was near to home.  I remember going to the field one barmy summer’s evening to take photographs.  The light was beautiful and the field was so colourful with the poppies swaying in the gentle breeze.  I stayed there … Continue reading Blog
Draycote Water, January 2024

Exploring the Northern path of Draycote Water

Damien WalmsleyFeb 3, 20243 min read
My previous visits to Draycote water have focussed on the visitor centre and watching the sailing club activity on the water. The reservoir has many wildlife visitors and I have enjoyed photographing their presence.  As I had some time to myself during a visit with my daughter who lives in Rugby, I took the opportunity to … Continue reading Blog