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| After the scrum had gone - Mesa Arch in Utah's Canyonlands National Park |
Given that it's New Year's Eve and I'm trying to stave off jetlag I thought I'd keep myself busy by collating some of my favourite photos from this year, as I've done for the past couple of years. I managed to cram in quite a few trips in 2014 - Iceland twice, Norway's Lofoten Islands, a big road-trip to the US south-west, a family visit to Austin, Texas and a couple of city breaks to Prague and Rome! As a result there's quite a few highlights, which I've shown in chronological order.
Iceland - March 2014
I travelled to the east of the country for the first time this year, as well as some my my regular favourites (
Jökulsárlón, Vik, Reykjavik). I also managed to see some decent northern lights for a change.
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| Reflections near Stokksnes, south-east Iceland |
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| The most magnificent blue iceberg on Jökulsárlón Beach, south-east Iceland |
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| The golden hour at Jökulsárlón lagoon, south-east Iceland |
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| Finally some northern lights over Jökulsárlón |
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| The annual self-portrait at Lómagnúpur, my favourite Icelandic mountain, along the south coast |
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| The wonderful wrecked US Navy DC3 near Vik, southern Iceland |
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Prague - May 2014
I spent a chilly weekend in Prague in May with my hubby and father-in-law. First time back since a visit as a child in 1981 - had changed quite a bit!
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| View of Prague old town from Petrin Hill on an overcast day |
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| Prague's Charles Bridge at sunrise - nice and empty! |
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| A cartoonist takes a break with a book on Prague's Charles Bridge, as tourists walk by |
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| Long exposure at sunset, looking up at Prague Castle |
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Lofoten Islands - June 2014
A last-minute holiday was snuck in before some surgery in July - the choice
was between Norway's Lofoten Islands or the Faroe Islands. The Lofoten Islands won out as the weather-forecast was better. It's a bit of a pain to get to, but the scenery is fantastic. Just make sure you don't get caught speeding...
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| The view of Olstind from our rorbu (hut) at Eliassen on the island of Hamnøy; typical moody weather |
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| The sun sets over Olstind, seen from Hamnøy |
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| Hiking near Munkebu Hut, near Sørvagen in the Lofoten Islands |
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| A late-night midsummer hike to Kvalvika beach on the Lofoten Islands |
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| A view of the pretty rorbuer (traditional fishermen's huts) of Reine, Lofoten Islands |
Rome - August 2014
I would definitely not recommend Rome in the height of the summer - so hot and crowded! But I had the chance to go with my sister and nephew and managed to get a few good shots, in spite of the unpleasant conditions!
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| The imposing Altare Della Patria in Rome |
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| The Colisseum in black & white |
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| Tourists rest in the shade of the massive pillars at the Vatican City |
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| The rather clichéd shot of the spiral staircase at the Vatican Museum | |
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| Sunset over the Vatican City |
Iceland - September 2014
Iceland again! Another last-minute trip, as a result of the eruption of the Holuhraun volcano - I just had to fly over and see it. It's a lot more colourful in September than March. Any excuse...
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| The mighty Dettifoss on a very windy day |
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| More northern lights! This time over Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland |
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| The thing I went over to see - Holuhraun volcano erupting! |
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| Another day, another waterfall - this is Goðafoss, near Akureyri |
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| A new discovery - Holufossar in north-west Iceland |
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| Another new destination - the impressive basalt stack at Hvitserkur in north-west Iceland |
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| Back to the pretty waterfalls near Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes Peninsular |
South-West USA Road-trip - September 2014
Something we'd talked about for a while, and finally got round to doing - a road-trip encompassing SW Colorado, NW New Mexico, NE Arizona and the bottom half of Utah. Too many highlights, so here's a very small selection.
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| The extremely picturesque Nymph Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado |
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| Colourful autumnal aspen leaves in Colorado |
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| The Eggs at Bisti Wilderness in NW New Mexico - awesome place! |
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| Sunset at the Totem Pole in Monument Valley - the dunes were untouched and stunning! |
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| A rare moment of solitude in Lower Antelope Canyon |
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| A woman squats to photograph Horseshoe Bend, near Page, Arizona |
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| A couple hikes up The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah |
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| The sunset shot of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah |
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| A different view of the sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah |
Austin, Texas - Christmas 2014
Back to the US for the last trip of the year - this time to celebrate Christmas with the in-laws just north of Austin. Took a few trips into the city centre, as well as practised star trail shots.
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| View of Austin's skyline seen from Lady Bird (Town) Lake |
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| Star trails above the Texas Hill Country |
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| The Texas Capitol Building in Austin, complete with dreadful coloured paint on the dome! |
It hasn't all been travel; I've also managed to get a few shots of London, as well as friends and family.
London
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| The lovely tree-lined avenue in Wandsworth Park |
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| A long exposure at sunset, looking across to the Houses of Parliament |
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| Shadows of visitors to the magnificent poppy display at the Tower of London |
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| View of Tower Bridge at dusk |
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| A tall ship sails down the Thames past Greenwich |
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| Cool girl at Columbia Road Flower Market in east London |
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| Old meets new in East London |
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| A woman walking down Rivington Street in Shoreditch, east London |
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| Masked demonstrators in Trafalgar Square |
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| One of the pillars in Trafalgar Square |
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| Buses at Oxford Circus, with the Christmas Lights just visible |
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| Autumn leaves in Parsons Green on one of the early frosty mornings |
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| Henry does not like the Christmas hat |
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| Last but not least, a photo that totally captures Henry's personality for me. |
So that's all folks for this year - look forward to lots more photos next year! First trip planned is Iceland, February 2015!
Happy New Year!
PS. More photos on my website -
www.sophiecarrphotography.com
