More heather from the Peak district NP

After we came home from Wales  I had time to take the rental car to the Peak district NP one evening and I went to a place called Hathersage moor.
I checked for places in Google that are worth visiting in the Peak District when the heather is in bloom and this place was good to visit.
There would be quite a lot of heather and it was, so now it was just to wait for the sunset but unfortunately the thin nice clouds that i wanted disappeared so the pictures where not quite as I wanted, but this was the only chance to shoot heather at sunset this year.
Several evenings before, it looked promising but a few hours before sunset the clouds came and thats not what I wanted.  I mean I wanted clouds but not so much that the sun disappears :)
Why do I mention the clouds so much, because the right amount of clouds in the sky offers nicer images, because the sun can shine on them and gives a little extra color and depth. Without clouds the sky just gets boring blue which is nice sometimes.
Now it's only 5 days left until we fly to U.S and I'm really looking forward to the trip.

An evening at Stanage edge

For couple of days ago, I was in search of heather again. But this time I biked up to Stanage Edge 8km one way, uphill :) and then I walked along the ridge of Stanage Edge to find places where there could be some good photo opportunities.
But unfortunately it was not as good as I had imagined, but on the way back to the bike, I tried to take pictures of the sunset, it was a fantastic light that was hard to capture with the camera, even though I had an ND 0.9 Hard graduated filter.
But it was probably too weak also for the streak between the ground and the sky was a little overexposed, but it is good practice for the upcoming U.S. trip.
Today I'll ride up to Stanage Edge again but I'll try to shoot birds instead can be fun to vary a bit :)

Heather blooming Peak District

Yesterday I, my wife and a friend went on a hike around Ladybower and Derwent Edge. We had chosen a loop of 14km where first 7 km are along ladybower reservoir so it is easy to walk.
But then it goes almost straight up to the top of Derwent Edge but once up it's also relatively flat. So the hike is fairly simple, although it's a bit to go.
I've never been up here when the heather is in bloom. It was nice to finally see how it is and it sure were some amazing parts with all the purple. Unfortunately the weather was not the best with a wind speed of 10-13m / s, showers and overcast. Still, it's nice to show you how the pictures can get when its overcast.
It's amazing to walk through the Peak District right now because of all heather blooms and you have to be quick as it suddenly is over.
But I'm not leaving it at these pictures, I will be look for other places where the heather is in larger patches. Will try to go out there in the late afternoons to get softer color of the landscape while the sun is setting down. Was planning to go this afternoon as the forecast was sunshine, but living on an Island it changes rather quickly and already now it's overcast instead. May try during next week instead.
Camera equipment: Nikon 3Ds, nikon 16-35mm f4 and Hitech Graduated soft nd filter 0.6.

Sitting amoung the high heather bushes