What the Buzzard Saw, Nant - "Yr Hyn a Welodd y Bwncath"

Another bitterly cold day: you can see the hail storms in the distance. You can just make out the village at the middle left of the image. The storms were intense, and freezing cold lasted all day. I trudged up to this industrial incline and noticed a huge hailstorm heading my way, dark and threatening. I decided not to get completely bombarded, so sheltered under the incline building, with its huge view out to sea. I kitted up with over-trousers and gloves and ensured my kit was clear of any holes in the ceiling above. As I sat there watching the light levels drop rapidly, like a solar eclipse, a huge buzzard landed on a post just ahead of me. He hadn’t noticed me at first, but then turned his head and saw me. After a moment he turned back to face the hailstorm, but did not fly off – we both seemed to be acknowledging what the other was doing! The hail came and bombarded the hillside, but five minutes later it stopped and the light levels started to increase once more. He turned once again to look at me, properly eye-balled me, and then slowly took off down the valley. It was an amazing shared moment, both of us humble witnesses to the power of the heavens.

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Filename: GD000692.jpg
Copyright: Copyrighted image - all rights reserved - 1988 Design & Copyright Patents Act
Image Size: 2100x1400 / 2.6MB; www.glyndavies.com; COASTLINE Nant Gwrtheyrn QUARRY STORM UK Wales atmosphere contrast forboding industry moody quarrying watched
Contained in galleries: Llyn Peninsula

Another bitterly cold day: you can see the hail storms in the distance. You can just make out the village at the middle left of the image. The storms were intense, and freezing cold lasted all day. I trudged up to this industrial incline and noticed a huge hailstorm heading my way, dark and threatening. I decided not to get completely bombarded, so sheltered under the incline building, with its huge view out to sea. I kitted up with over-trousers and gloves and ensured my kit was clear of any holes in the ceiling above. As I sat there watching the light levels drop rapidly, like a solar eclipse, a huge buzzard landed on a post just ahead of me. He hadn’t noticed me at first, but then turned his head and saw me. After a moment he turned back to face the hailstorm, but did not fly off – we both seemed to be acknowledging what the other was doing! The hail came and bombarded the hillside, but five minutes later it stopped and the light levels started to increase once more. He turned once again to look at me, properly eye-balled me, and then slowly took off down the valley. It was an amazing shared moment, both of us humble witnesses to the power of the heavens.