Sandsend Seaside

 Late in the summer I had a brief photo expedition to Sandsend, despite it being quite busy I got  a few striking shots, this my favourite.

 

Gentians last summer

 A significant colony of Gentians was 'discovered' on the North York Moors last summer.
They had been thought extinct locally since the last ones were recorded on moorland near Hartoft which has been densely planted with conifers in the 1950s

This second colony was hiding in plain sight in a not particularly remote location.
They only flower briefly and only open during the day when it is fine.
Plus they nestle among heather so easily missed unless you almost stand on them.

Noctilucent clouds

 These are a somewhat infrequent feature seen around longest day as sun is never far below horizon, and is still illuminating ice clouds in the high atmosphere.
It's possible some charged particle effect is involved too, they are not well understood.

Bluebells

 Quick edit of clips from ZV-1 Sony, using a fake cinetone profile
They are late this year - still not at best on 28th May when they might normally be about done.

2021!

 The year has got off to  wintery start with up to two feet of snow higher up.
Deep snow only one day really lower down but often very icy - and above all very wet everywhere.

Looking over Westerdale side from (closed) minor road to Ralphs Cross.

Hunting for heather

 The North York Moors usually have a splendid display of heather from early August until late September but this year it's patchy at best.

It was extremely dry from Mid-March until early June  - which it didn't like - and that also favoured an exceptionally large attack of heather beetle.
There were so many beetles that after laying their eggs in the heather they ended up in the Sea in such large numbers that there was a tide line of them inches deep on the beach back in May.

Anyway the best areas are generally higher up and younger stuff which has been burned in the past decade or so.
Old leggy heather in many areas looks practically dead with only a few purple sprigs.
But curiously here and there small patches look OK.
It's just the effect of great purple expanses is missing.
The past week has been largely foggy and drizzly but that can add a certain something to photos on occasion.

Harland Beck cascade

This is just before where Farndale becomes Douthwaitedale.
With hindsight a polariser would have reduced the glare on water