St. Patrick´s Day Parade Waterville 2016

St. Patrick must truly be a mighty saint because he managed some brilliant sunshine on his day after four months with nearly continuous rain and gales. But don't worry, today we were back to normal with rattling roofs and soaked socks. Enjoy the bright pictures of a lovely parade put on the street by the people of Waterville, Kerry.

Nature´s treasure pot

The saint wonders: Where are they marching in?

Charlie still head down

Now Charlie is head up

Here they come

 

O what fun

All the Charlies are on the road

Even the tiny little ones

You don´t get away these days without the baddies

There were times when tractors did match the road size

Another beauty of times gone by

This way I could be persuaded to exercising, too

How can the electorate dare to make it so difficult for them

Treats for the kids

Heading back to the jury platform

Everyone gets a well earned medal

 All photos © Franz Schenk
Taken with Olympus E-5 and edited in Lightroom 6; special effects with Nik collection plug-in from Google

Gales, Foam and Waves at St. Finian´s Bay, Kerry

Today another of this winter´s countless gales blasted the coastline of Kerry. This time I took my (hopefully) spray-proof camera down to St. Finian´s Bay, Kerry and the nearby little harbour with its slipway and pier. The sea was covered with white foam and the usually sandy beach looked like a giant cream pot had been emptied over it. I finished my excursion wit a visit to Ballinskelligs strand with its castle, the McCarthy Mór Tower House.

Huge waves keep rolling into the narrow inlay of St. Finian´s Bay harbour

Foam covers the waves rolling in

For a short moment, a bit of blue sky allows a view of Skellig Rock on the horizon

A young seal is seeking shelter and rest from the rough sea where the inlet merges into grassland

One should not approach seals ashore, but leave them resting. If in doubt of its well-being, contact the : Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary

Salty foam covers the shoreline of St. Finian´s Bay, Kerry

Rocks in the white whirl of St. Finian´s Bay

Creamy rollers come in on the shore of St. Finian´s Bay

Road and paths along the shore a covered in creamy foam

Ballinskelligs Castle, the McCarthy Mór Tower House is sprayed from the braking waves

Small Things at Renard Beach

The light was a bit difficult to take landscape pictures, however there a many things at a beach worthwhile to be photographed.
Olympus E-5, Zuiko Digital 14-54 mm, Zuiko Digital 50 mm makro.

Sunset over Knightstown

Driftwood meets Bogwood at Renard beach

Pattern in driftwood

Snake in the wood

Can you see the mouse in the hole?

Colors of  Rust

Beauty of decay

Barnacle with sea weed

Snail patterns

Volcanoes

Creatures at the beach

 The following pictures were taken two days later with a Zuiko Digital 50-200 attached to a ZD  2xTeleconverter EC-20

Skellig St Michael in the morning mist of the rising sun

A traditionally rigged sailboat is passing Cromwell Fort at at the West entrance of Port Magee Channel

Under watchful eyes

Portmagee cliffs, South Kerry

We spent yet another lovely evening with South Kerry camera club. This trip was up to the cliffs in Portmagee via John Joe and Mary O' Donoghues house. They also have a lovely coffee shop, and on behalf of the camera club I would like to thank them for there hospitality and for  giving us the opportunity to see such a wonderful spot. A visit to these cliffs should not be missed, with its breath taking views. Highly recommend.
All shots cannon 7D.

Lake Road,Waterville, Co.Kerry

The lake road is a left turning situated just 5mins outside Waterville as you head for Caherdaniel. It is one of the most picturesque places around. The road goes on for about 7/8miles and every turn you take is breath taking. All photos taken with a 7D.