Top 10 travel photos from a year of adventure
From a return visit to British Columbia on a two-week road trip with one of my closest friends to a photographic assignment in West Africa, 2016 was a very memorable travel-filled year. Travel firsts included the Caribbean, with visits to the magical islands of St Kitts and Aruba, and a few firsts closer to home, with visits to Northern Ireland, Germany and Luxembourg.
I also overcame my fear of heights and zip-lined over the rainforest biome of The Eden Project in Cornwall, some 97 metres above the ground on the longest zip wire in England (you can see the video here). The train journey home was memorable too, as we hit a mammoth tree felled by Storm Imogen. It looked like the tree was exploding against my window. The train was too badly damaged to move, so we sat there and waited. And waited. In the end, my 7-hour train journey home took over 15 hours to complete as chaos reigned across England’s rail network. On the plus side, I did meet some very nice firemen and was seen that evening on the national news being helped out of the train and down a ladder in a manner that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Bridget Jones sequel.
The Pirogues of West Africa
You’ll find clusters of these colourful boats at small fishing villages dotted along the coastline of West Africa. The most famous fishing village is probably Tanji in The Gambia, which I’ve visited a number of times to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling beach overflowing with people, fish and seagulls. I’ve taken some of my favourite travel photos and created some of my fondest memories here.
Frigate Bay, St Kitts
My first visit to the Caribbean landed me on the lovely island of St Kitts. This picture brings back memories of delicious seafood and clear blue waters, rum punch, and another zip-lining adventure, this time through the island’s rainforest.
Stanley Park and the Vancouver City skyline
I loved returning to Vancouver, one of my favourite cities in the world. I’d not had time to visit Stanley Park the first time round, so it was a must for this year. We squeezed in a visit before setting off on our road trip along the Sunshine Coast of Canada and then across Vancouver Island.
Sea anemones at the Ucluelet Aquarium
One of the highlights of my trip to Canada was the wildlife, but it wasn’t just the black bears and whales that I loved photographing. These colourful little sea anemones also really caught my eye at the wonderful aquarium on Vancouver Island. Follow this link to see more travel photos and read all about the wildlife of Clayoquot Sound.
Amberley Castle’s White Peacock
I first visited Amberley Castle in 2015 to celebrate both my own and Neill’s 50th birthday. It was during a return visit this year that I saw this stunning all-white peacock who loved showing off his fine feathers as much as I loved photographing them. I still can’t believe that Amberley Castle will be the setting for our wedding later this year. Neill insisted!
The Town Hall in Bamberg
One of the highlights of my first visit to Germany was the lovely historic town of Bamberg. Not only does it have many stunning buildings, like the town hall pictured above, it is also home to the scrumptious smoke beer, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier.
November’s Supermoon
I didn’t have to travel far to catch November’s Supermoon. I took this photo standing outside my front door and was amazed by the detail. Supermoons actually happen more often than you’d think. While this was the brightest and closest that the moon will be for many years, the next Supermoon will be on December 3, 2017. To photograph it you’ll need the longest lens you have (this was taken with a 500mm lens) and a tripod to hold it steady during a long exposure. I had to stop my camera down about four stops to get this detail.
A misty morning in Venice
Another first last year was a visit to Venice, a city that I had heard so much about. It more than lived up to my high expectations – it really is unique. You can read about my visit in my post, 48 hours in Venice, and I’ll also be sharing some Venice photography tips soon too.
The Grand Canal
Another favourite shot from my weekend in Venice was this view of the Grand Canal. Timeless and serene.
The Christmas lights of Regent Street
The last series of travel photos I took in 2016 was of the glorious Christmas lights of London. While there were many wonderful displays, none could compete with the majesty of these giant angels suspended above the people, shops and traffic of Regent Street.
Where will 2017 take you?
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My first flight of 2017 is tomorrow. There’s a pint of Guinness with my name on it. Do you have any travel plans for 2017?
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I can’t get over the white peacock, what a stunner 🙂 You already know how much I love your supermoon shot too & I’m privileged to have been with you during 3 of those pics…!
Happy memories indeed!
Hello Kathryn,
Mr and Mrs Webster of Sheffield, (Lamin Saho helpers in Gambia)
I think your photographs are really very good Kathryn, I have been an amatuer photographer since I started at 15 years old with a Boots box camera , so I have gone through many stages of photography, film, 35mm , SLRs etc and now have a Panasonic FZ82, which is a good low end of the SLR bridge market camera. I too have taken some moon photos lately , but mine are hand held, can I send you some of my photos ?.
I have a Nikon D5100 , which I can change the standard lens to a zoom one , but I have not used it as much, really love my Lumix FZ72. I underand they are bringing out a FZ 82 soon, what do you think to it.???
What camera do you use ? Sending you all our love, Ken and Sheila
Hi Ken and Sheila, Lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind words. By all means send me some moon photos. I’d love to see them. For a good few years now I’ve used a Nikon D700 but it’s very heavy and my back isn’t getting any younger! So last year I bought Lumix DMC FZ1000. The quality is not as good but plenty good enough for this blog I think. Can you spot which of these photos was taken with my old, professional level camera and which ones the new camera? Regarding the new Lumix, I’m not really up to date on such things. (I had to look up what mine was as I didn’t have a clue from memory)
The Christmas lights of Regent Street are a treat to watch. I have some nice pictures of the same . Used to Live in London.
Fabulous photos – and what an amazing year. My favourite has to be the peacock too, so unique. Though I do love the Venice shots too, they’ve got me aching to go back.
The peacock is so beautiful and he knew it! 😉
Looks like quite a year! Bamburg looks picture-perfect – I’d love to visit. And I like your white peacock. We have them in a bird park near me and they look like they’ve just stepped out of heaven!
I really loved Bamburg and would love to return for a longer stay one day.
Love love love. And that supermoon that is my favourite. What a shot! You had an incredible year, cna’t wait to see 2017 😀
Thanks, Erin. I’m sure 2017 will be just excited for us both. Happy travels!
I am glad you didn’t try to pick a favourite – it has been such a busy year! I have to say I like the St Kitts one best as I would be on that yacht relaxing with a glass of wine. But those peacocks are on my visit list now!
You’d adore Amberley Castle, I’m sure. You must try and visit sometime.
Fabulous photos Kathryn – love that white peacock, I had no idea they even existed. Love that St Kitts figures too – wasn’t that a wonderful trip!
Thanks, Suzanne. Isn’t he a beauty. i do hope we can coax him into a few wedding pictures. And St Kitts was the best!