Seefin Loop Walk above Caragh Lake and two book tips.

Road leading to the Windy Gap

Fog over Caragh Lake, Macgillycuddy´s Reeks top right

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Summit of Seefin Mountain 493m

Rossbeigh beach and Dingle Bay

Caragh Lake and Macgillycuddy´s Reeks panorama out of 11 portrait shapes

My local butcher in Cahersiveen (Miller´s Butcher)  suggested to me to go for a walk up Seefin Mountain. He showed me a photo on his mobile phone that looked very promising. I started early from the road leading for Treanmanagh where my friend the painter Pauline Bewick lives. Walking towards the Windy Gap I went eventually to the right for the ridge of Seefin Mountain. Reaching the top is easy enough even for unexperienced walker. You are rewarded with great vistas towards Dingle, Rossbeigh beach, Glencar and the Macgillycuddy Reeks. You will find a description of the walk in Adrian Hendroff´s wonderful book "Killarney to Valentia Island- The Iveragh Peninsula" a fantastic walking guide. You find the book here or in local book shops. Another book that I came across recently is by my friend Valerie O`Sullivan, "The Macgillycuddy´s Reeks. Valerie is a photographer based in Killarney. Apart from great photos of the scenery the book gives a great insight of peoples lives, traditions and the community spirit around the reeks. You´ll find it here or at your local book store. A great Christmas gift!

©Michael Herrmann 2016

International Association for Falconry in Sneem, Co.Kerry

Carine Prevost from Brittany/France with her 2 year old Goshawk "Scot" outside Sneem Hotel

Andrew Knowles-Brown from Scotland and his African Crowned Eagle "Isis"

 The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey is holding its annual meeting in Ireland this year. The South Kerry Camera Club went there today to see some of the birds. The IAF website for more detailed information is here.
I´m not a bird photographer but I have to say I was very impressed by the beauty of those birds. I never knew about such wide range of colours and feather pattern. It was great to have those birds sitting so close to the camera and just admire them. The crowd went for outings later to different places in Kerry. It must be amazing to spend time with the animals in there natural habitats and see the flying and doing different exercises.
©Michael Herrmann 2016

Photowalk near Cahersiveen, Over the Water

Landslide near the Blow Hole 

Our group on the top right 

Winter colour gras land and Dolus Head behind

The area near Cahersiveen where you get close to the sea is locally known by the name "Over the Water". If you are looking for an almost unchanged landscape with unobstructed views, here is a good place. The sky opens up and so does the landscape with the horizontal line and the infinity view. The rocks along that coast have a pink colouration and are rough and sharp lines. The blow hole at the end of the walk is very impressive, both from above and from the waterline. Standing below gives you an impression of a cathedral size structure. Here is an older post that shows the view of the blow hole from the other side.Over the Water, Blow hole

©Michael Herrmann 2016

Photo for Daniel O´Connell Memorial Church, Cahersiveen

Panorama photo showing the view from Cnoc na dTobar, near Cahersiveen

From today you can enjoy the view from Cnoc na dTobar in the visitor centre of Daniel O´Connell Memorial Church Cahersiveen. 

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am-2pm.

During mass at 11am the room is closed for 30 minutes.

The photo is 172 cm wide and features the town of Cahersiveen, Valentia Island and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

The photo was taken on the summit of Cnoc na dTobar this spring using a Canon 5D mkII and a 70mm focal length on the tripod.

Whitewall.com produced the print with 6mm acrylic glass on aluminium board, including rail system for hanging. You can find more details here:Whitewall.com

The text below is giving you some background information. Please come and see yourself.

View from the Summit of Cnoc na dTobar to Skellig Michael Monastic Site

Cnoc na dTobar is one of Ireland´s Sacred Mountains.

Since prehistoric and medieval times Cnoc na dTobar has been a sacred pilgrim site.

In 1885 Canon Brosnan (Parish priest of Cahersiveen) was responsible for the erection of the 14 stations of the cross along the mountain´s ancient trail.

Mt.Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula, Cnoc na dTobar and Skelligs Michael are all in sight of one another.

©Michael Herrmann 2016

Kells Bay Garden and a Word of Wisdom

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass by but learning to photograph in the rain.
©Michael Herrmann 2016

Cromwell Point Lighthouse, Valentia Island

The new LED light with the view through the original Fresnel lens. Everything outside is upside down.

Our South Kerry Camera Club meeting was held in Valentia Lighthouse tonight. Great to se the new LED light and looking through the old Fresnel lens for the first time. I´m always fascinated by the glas body and the amazing pattern that you see from different angles. I changed some shots in to black and white photos in Lightroom 6 using the green filter settings.
©Michael Herrmann 2016