New Life - Drishanemore, Skibbereen, West Cork

© Ann Brien

Hubby and I have watched these little guys grow since they were born just a few weeks ago.  They are now older and brave enough to move the small distance from their mother to begin their own grazing life.  I promise, these little beauties will never come next or near my dinner plate.  Taken March 2013.

Country Byway - Drishanemore, Skibbereen, West Cork

© Ann Brien

One of the lovely byways or boreens hubby and I take in on our daily walks.  Taken February 2013.

Sea and Rocks, Ballydonegan Bay, West Cork

 © Ann Brien

One of my favourite places to holiday in Ireland is Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork.  It was while hubby and I were enjoying one of our lengthy stays there during the autumn of 2010 that I took these photos. The weather was scorching hot with blue skies most days. Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies, West Cork. Taken October 2010.

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

Dunboy Castle near Castletownbere, West Cork

© Ann Brien

This hotel, the refurbishment of which was halted in 2011, was renovated from the ruins of Puxley Mansion which was built by Henry and John Puxley in 1739 and burnt to a skeleton by the IRA in 1921. Below images from the castle grounds. Taken October 2010.

© Ann Brien

This is surely an Alice In Wonderland walkway!

© Ann Brien

This scene reminds me of a Constable painting

© Ann Brien

What secrets does this room hold?

Last Days of Winter, Allihies, West Cork

© Ann Brien

Bohreen from Allihies Village

© Ann Brien

Back road behind our home

© Ann Brien

Under Construction! - New walker pathway

© Ann Brien

Ballydonegan Bay

© Ann Brien

Ballydonegan Bay

© Ann Brien

New Life near Ballydonegan Bay

Already you can see the changing light from Winter to Spring. Taken February 2011.

Swirling Mist, Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies

© Ann Brien

Slipway

© Ann Brien

Treacherous Rocks

© Ann Brien

Amazing rock formation

© Ann Brien

Pier Staircase

© Ann Brien

Amazing rock formation, different angle

© Ann Brien

Thick mist, green water, rock - breathtaking!

I shot those images yesterday afternoon at Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies in a fierce gale which sometimes made holding my phone steady virtually impossible.

My experience while walking around the pier would come close to what I'd call a spiritual one. I almost felt what had I done to deserve these very special moments during which I observed what I love most of all, the sea at her wildest. She gave an unrivaled performance. Taken February 2011.

A West Cork Sunset

© Ann Brien

I stood for a long time observing this sunset. As the seconds ticked by I knew I had to capture its beauty before the moment was lost forever. Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork. Taken October 2010.

Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies

© Ann Brien

Mid-afternoon three days ago in Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies. The roar of the waters was akin to the noise from a motorway at rush hour but without the traffic. Only the sound of the wind and waves to delight the ears. Taken February 2011.

Twilight - Allihies, West Cork

© Ann Brien

This was the light over Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork three hours ago. Taken February 2011.