This morning Rogan needed to be at the high school for 7.20am as he was off on a school trip to Stratford for a couple of days; the highlight of which is heading to the Globe Theatre in London to see Shakespeare's, "As You Like It" performed live.
Now this is all very noble, cultural and educational, but for me it meant getting up early to take him there.
So it was Mr Grumpy who climbed out of bed at silly-o-clock in the morning and trod on his belt buckle.
It was Mr Grumpy who almost missed the last step as he came down the stairs.
It was Mr Grumpy who discovered there was only enough orange juice in the carton for an eighth of a glass.
It was Mr Grumpy who couldn’t remember where he’d put his car keys.
It was Mr Grumpy mumbling obscenities into his beard, as he had to scrape the first ice of the season off his windscreen.
It was Mr Grumpy who had to get back out of the car to scrape the ice off the wing mirrors when he discovered he couldn’t see anything in them.
It was Mr Grumpy trying not to be Mr Grumpy as he struggled to get a hug from his son who didn’t want to be seen hugging his father at the school gates where his friends might see.
It was Mr Forgot To Be Grumpy who thought he saw fog rolling in at the bottom of the town, where Carlingwark Loch is, and realised the sun would soon be rising.
It was Mr Excited who ran into the house and grabbed his camera.
It was Mr Peaceful who breathed in the cool, autumn air and watched the swans gliding in and out of the mist, while the sun rose behind the trees casting streaks of golden light through the fog and across the loch.
And it was Mr Photographer who took 104 photos over the next 40 minutes.
These were the best ones. Click on any of them for larger versions.
A swan's arse while it's head down looking for food
Sunrise through the mist
Another sunrise through the mist. I mean the same sunrise, but from a different angle. I know you knew that, but some pedantic bastard was bound to say something.
As this swan came out of the mist, I couldn't see where the loch finished and the mist began
Making it well worth all the trouble of getting up early
.
Thanks for making me smile out loud. :)
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate a loud smiler :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that's just beautiful! I love it when grumpy gets turned around that way.
ReplyDeleteI think The Swan's Arse would be a splendid title for a photography blog.
Nice post, nice pics and a good laugh before I hop to my bed.. Well, it's night here..:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and great pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is beautiful, Mr. I'm-Not-Grumpy.
ReplyDeleteAh, I miss Scotland.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful.
There is nothing like athmospheric photos to catch the character of a place and the sea lakes and rivers at sunrise or sunset are just the business. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the morning got turned around for you.
ReplyDeleteahhhh thanks for making the minutiae of daily politics seem just so unimportant today!!!! never been to scotland, you just really make me want to go there!
ReplyDeletevery pretty pictures. i can understand why your grumpyness changed to happyness. the loc is very beatiful
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile so much. The photos are beautiful, especially the last one. Get it printed and have it framed.
ReplyDeleteA perfect permanent record of a beautiful 40 minutes.
ReplyDeletewhat a difference a few minutes an make, sugar! i so <3 the last photo! xoxox
ReplyDeleteLove the one with the swan bum, and all the white swannyness in the mist.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! :)
ReplyDelete"Every cloud has a silver lining."
What a peaceful, beautiful time of day in your part of the world, and how lovely of you to share it with us.
ReplyDeleteWell this pedantic bastard loved the photographs . . . now I know what to do besides drink coffee to get me going in the morning . . . find a misty lake with swans and a golden sunrise.
ReplyDeleteAlan
Wow. You just spoke to my funny bone and my soul at the same time :-) It's no wonder I have been wanting to visit Scotland! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteYeah, for Mr Grumpy! The pic's are awesome, especially the swan!
ReplyDeleteSince I kept my commitment and did not post a comment on your last 3 blog posts I am THRILLED to participate in the gay 'ol commenting. I LAUGHED OUT LOUD. This was terrific. Thank you sir, I needed that. : )
ReplyDeleteGod bless the wee hours of the morning and those who rise to greet them.
ReplyDeleteHauntingly beautiful and just goes to show the early bird catches the worm.
ReplyDeleteYou may be grumpy but you're a smashing Dad.
Very nice photos and all because you got up with your son.
ReplyDeleteMr Kim= breathtaking! That shot of the swan- all of them....
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful, and an amusing tinge of grumpiness still manifests itself in the captions ("swan's arse" and "pedantic bastard"). I love it. Effervescent photographs and witty-as-ever commentary.
ReplyDeleteI love those pictures and that description of the whole scenario of getting to that point made me laugh because I could see myself in it. LOL
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful Mr. Grumpy! Interesting how these moments happen.
ReplyDeleteMakes getting up early worthwhile :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stuff, mate :) I love the colour in the first photo. That deep dark blue peeking through the cloudy mist. Just those two colours, but it's really effective
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Your photos look like paintings. I think the word is multi-talented.
ReplyDeleteOK there Mr. Grumpy. Just imagine what you could have done if you hadn't have started out that way.
ReplyDeleteYour talents continue to amaze all of us. I might have to start decorating your walls with your works of art.
nature sure can heal the grumpies :-)
ReplyDeleteQuietly beautiful photos, Kim.
Absolutely gorgeous photos and a lovely tale before.... It's a blessed person who can see the possibilities in a bit of fog and then make those possibilities into an incredible morning!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing.
Those are gorgeous. Do you do anything on Zazzle with your photography? If not, you should because they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow...!!! That's UK, right???!?!
ReplyDeletebeautiful...!!
and the way you said it, Awesome....!!
Mr. Grumpy to Mr. Not-so-Grumpy to Mr. Excited to Mr. Photographer....!! this transition is what I used to have every morning when I was back in U.S.!
Holy shit these are beautiful. Wow. The swan in the white is amazing, stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, simply beautiful. I'm glad Mr. Grumpy got up early enough to be able to catch that.
ReplyDeleteMagic.
ReplyDeleteBliss!!!! Love this!! (And I don't think a swan's arse has ever been photographed quite so tastefully! Well done! ; ) )
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Scenery like that has got to be the cure for Mr. Grumpy-itis. Hard to be grumpy when surrounded by such serenity.
Funny post! I can totally relate with trodding on the belt buckle part! Ouch!
ooh i really love that one with the swan where everything else in the background is blending ... lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is pure beauty in those pictures. You have real talent :)
ReplyDeletelove your pictures, put a smile in me today!
ReplyDeletePollinatrix - now I think about it, "The Swan's Arse" could be a title for a book, a CD, a comedy series or even a brand of stockings...
ReplyDeletePatrick, Mike, Charlie, CJR, RainyWest, Jacqui, MissBuckle, Carrie, Rispa Frances, Cannwin, Starrlife, Postman, Cindy, Debra, Maggie May, RealGirl755, Lisa, Hindsfeet, Danielle, Kieran and P- thank you :)
Anna VS - it's so much better when it's that way round
Flying Eagle Woman and Goodmood Masala - Scotland's lovely. Just bring a raincoat with you :)
Snoble24 - it's a lovely place when the swans aren't coming up close and being intimidating :)
Megan - I'll have to replace the orange ink cartridge first...
Savannah - you have my email if you want a copy
Jayne and Shawn - it wasn't so altruistic - I only do it for the praise and worship :)
Alan - I think Wallmart are doing a buy one get one free offer on sunrises all this week
Jennifer - welcome back :)
Melanie, Vicky - for all it's beauty, I still look forward to the idea of a lie in :)
Pat - aw, shucks...
Postman - any means necessary to keep my massive ego under control
Allen - there are amazing things happening all the time, but sometimes we're lucky enough to notice :)
FLG - Thanks for the comment on the first photo - I really like it, but it seems to be overshadowed by the last 2 :)
Erika - you are rapidly becoming one of my favourite commenters :)
Brave Astronaut - if I'd started the day in the usual way, I'd have written a different blog post. Meanwhile, why do you want to decorate MY walls?
Jasmine - not tried Zazzle - do you find it works well?
Dranz3r - Aye, Scotland is part of the UK - it's a wee island off the North-west corner of Europe with a highly inflated sense of its own importance
Tgoette - only marginally less painful than stepping on an upturned plug
Hope I've not missed anyone
lol...nice!! I hope to visit UK next year sometime...though I'll be focusing on my work in London and Manchester, if I do get time to travel, I'll visit Scotland too...!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the last one, Mr Grumps
ReplyDeleteAh, another convert to getting up early! I get up at "silly o'clock" every morning--and guess what. The sun rises EVERY SINGLE MORNING, but it never, ever looks exactly the same. You could photograph the sunrise every day, and your pics would always be a bit different. Worth setting the old alarm clock?
ReplyDeleteThe pictures, just splendid.
ReplyDeleteYour grumpiness, rib-tickling.
The deliverance from, rather nice. Thanks for sharing.
The snaps are really great. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe picture with only the swan is the loveliest! :D
ReplyDeleteI should try shooting in early morning light, too.
My favourite is the picture of the swan in the mist. The silence in that one is so loud I can hear it! Sending smiles.
ReplyDeleteI love the last photo its so beautiful. I always love your blog posts they're so right and funny.
ReplyDeleteStunning, Mr. Forgot To Be Grumpy!
ReplyDelete"Pedantic": overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching.
"Bastard": Entrepreneur Chick's first husband... I'm not bitter- I'm just sayin'.
Haha! Those are beautiful, my favourite is the last one for the pattern of tree branches :)
ReplyDeleteAre you on Deviantart by any chance?
Lovely images, all of them, but I do like the sunrise ones. Glad they lifted your grumpiness!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, the virus warning on your site has now gone.
Mr. Wonderful! I loved your post. You are truly an inspiration. Maybe this is why God put you on earth, to inspire us,the Great Unwashed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim.
I almost forgot, the swan picture is breathtaking. Is it copywrited? Can I copy it and hang it on my wall? It is truly awesome. Lovely pictures Kim. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYeah,Itá an impressive peacefulness being one with nature, personally I also had the habit of lifting out of bed at first light and take photos of almost everything,It´s kind of hard to explain...It´s like the best photography and the best photographer join hands and perform a miracle.
ReplyDeleteI have to get of bed earlier more times.
Dranz3r - it is a beautiful country :)
ReplyDeleteGillian, TalesNtypos, Saji Oommen, Mimi & Tilly and DM - thank you :)
2to4aday - unfortunately, I suffer from CFS (see blog posts under the label mental and physical health) This means getting up early every day isn't really an option
flahsbulb100w - if you can get yourself out of bed, it's one of the best times for a landscape or wildlife photographer
E-Chick - are you expecting him to comment here?
Chocolatesa - I actually opened an account there last week, but have yet to do anything with it.
Digibirder - thanks - it turned out to be a problem with one of the old, no longer active sites I was linking to, that had been taken over by some spamming site
Ron - most images you find on the web, unless clearly stated otherwise are copyrighted. With my images, I'm OK about people putting them on their blog so long as they creit me with a link back to this or my photogrpahy site.
The larger images are big enough for a computer screen, but if you tried printing them off they would look pixilated. If you want a high resolution copy, then send me an email - although not if you're going to refer to me as one of God's creatures :)
Bonequinhoda bic - if you have the discipline and energy to be able to get up and out that early every morning, then I envy you :)
Cool! I've added you as a friend :D
ReplyDeleteC'mon now, you know what I meant. For want of the wrong pronoun, a quest for art was lost :)
ReplyDeleteYou're a fab dad, Kim. Even in the early mornings.
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely gorgeous.
The swan coming out of the fog is sublime. Amazing work.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteReally one of your best and you seem to be a great photographer too.
Ya-t-il une alchimie insoupsonnée de la part de "Kim Ayres"...!?
ReplyDeleteLes photographies sont superbes , les deux dernières ( surtout la dernière ) m'inspire ceci :
Le cygne meurt en chantant et chante en mourant : il est le symbole du désir premier qui est le désir sexuel. La légende du cygne muet dit qu'au moment de mourir il aurait exhalé pour la première fois un chant très mélodieux.
Le cygne symbolise la force du poète et de la poèsie; il est l'emblème du poète inspiré, du pontife sacré, etc...
En Extrème-Orient, le cygne est symbole d'élégance, de noblesse et de courage. Il est aussi symbole de la musique et du chant.
Dans les textes celtiques, la plupart des êtres de l'autre monde qui pénètrent dans le monde terrestre empruntent la forme du cygne. Venant du nord ou y retournant, les cygnes figurant de chaque côté de la barque solaire symbolisent les états supérieurs ou angéliques de l'être en cours de délivrance et retournant vers le principe suprême.
Le cygne a toujours été regardé par les alchimistes comme l'emblème du mercure. Il en a la couleur et la mobilité ainsi que la volatilité proclamée par ses ailes. Le cygne en alchimie exprime un centre mystique et l'union des opposés (eau-feu). On y retrouve sa valeur archétypale d'androgyne. Au monastère franciscain de Cimiez la devise latine divina sibi canit et orbi signifie : il chante divinement pour soi et pour le monde. Ce sifflement est nommé "le chant du cygne" (le signe chantant) parce que le mercure voué à la mort et à la décomposition va transmettre son âme au corps interne issu du métal imparfait , inerte et dissous.
****************
There it has an unsuspected alchemy from "Kim Ayres" ...!?
The photographs are superb, the two last ones (especially the last one) inspires me this:
The swan dies while singing and sings while dying: it is the symbol of the first desire that is the sexual desire. The legend of the mute swan says that at to die it would have exhaled for the first time a very melodious song. The swan symbolizes the force of the poet and poetry; it is the emblem of the inspired poet, sacred pontiff, etc... In Far East, the swan is elegance symbol, of nobility and of courage. It is also symbol of the music and song. In the Celtic texts, most of the beings of the other world that penetrate in the earthly world borrow the swan form. Coming from the north or there returning, the swans figuring every side of the solar small boat symbolize the superior states or being angelicas in course of delivery and returning towards the supreme principle.
The swan always was looked at by the alchemists as the mercury emblem. It has the color and the mobility as well as the volatility proclaimed by its wings. The swan in alchemy expresss a mystical center and the union of the opposed (water fire). One there rediscovers his archetypal value of androgynous one. To the Franciscan monastery of Cimiez the Latin motto divina sibi canit and orbi means: it divinely sings for oneself and for the world. This sifflement is named "song of the swan" (the sign singing) because the devoted mercury to the death and to the decomposition will transmit his soul to the internal body coming from the imperfect, inert metal and dissolves.
The swan coming out of the mist - jaw open, heart slowed. Who needs Photoshop...
ReplyDeleteShit, you don't, do you? Please let that swan be nothing more than a perfect moment!
Chocolatesa - thanks - now you'll have to tell me the best way to use it :)
ReplyDeleteBrave Astronaut - maybe I should start selling these... mind you, if you want a hi-res version let me know - i still owe you for the peanut butter M&MS :)
Sam - I'm so pleased you're back :)
Gimme - thank you :)
Michael - thank you, I think...
Crabbers - all I ever knew about swans was they can break a man's arm, apparently... :)
Chastity - they're all genuine photos, just tidied up a bit in photoshop - no swans were pasted into these photos :)
Lovely Kim Just Lovely !!!!!The Photographs are Beautiful, especially the swan coming out of the mist! So Elegant! Reminded me of a pretty shy Girl being asked to dance! Ooooo liked the turn and the way U have described it!!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! You have a way with words. Excellent photo's. Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteThis is just FANTASTIC. You made me laugh and slap my thighs and sigh, all in one reading -- and those photographs too my breath away. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteMs. Contented, signing out!
Anez and uddering goat - thank you :)
ReplyDeleteMary - did you light up a cigarette in satisfaction afterwards?
Divine pictures!!!!!! Your pictures were what I woke up this morning to. Thanks for making my day:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Falak :)
ReplyDeleteYup, I replied to your message on DA :)
ReplyDeleteKim, I love my Zazzle. I think you are very talented and would do great with it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a get rich quick scheme, but it does bring in a nice little chunk of money that pays my electric or water bill. Sometimes both. ;)
If you decide to try it let me know. I would love to see you there.
Elegant photographs.
ReplyDeleteOutside my windows is a block of flats with more windows. Like a shelf in specsavers.
I'll be reading you.
Chocolatesa - thank you :)
ReplyDeleteJasmine - I'll look further into it then, thank you :)
McGuire - you could get some intersting architectural of abstract shots then - for example:
http://1x.com/photos/architecture/26690/
http://1x.com/photos/architecture/25101/
http://1x.com/photos/architecture/23628/
I was grumpy until I viewed you photos, fantastic work. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Brian :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning Kim, I'm also a resident of CD but stuck out in Saudi for 2/3 of the year.
ReplyDeleteI was looking for info about Carlingwark when I stumbled on your blog, it was absolutely brilliant seeing your pictures, and I appreciated your dialogue as well... I have to get up at 0430 every morning out here so I'll probably stay grumpy until I come home for Christmas.:)
Regards
Paul
Paul - thanks for you kind comments :) I don't envy you a 4.30am start...
ReplyDelete