This week once again I was alone, I went to Venford Falls to see if I could get some Autumn colour but due to the amount of rain we have had in the last few days the shoot was almost impossible and there was no Autumn colour anyway. After finally getting to the falls and aborting my intended Fujifilm GFX 50S Medium Format shoot I went back to the car for lunch before heading off to nearby Bench Tor to try to salvage the day.
Bench Tor Lone Tree.
Venford Falls, I would normally be stood in the river towards the left edge of the shot but this day the water was too fierce.
I had originally gone my normal route down the main track to a crossing point I have used several times, however, when I got there this time there was no way I could cross. Having scouted upriver trying to find a safe crossing point I went all the way back to the slacks where the river comes out of the treatment works fence where it was crossable with care.
I then set off down the “track” on the North bank headed for the falls.
The “track” was not the easiest of tracks and sometimes it descended into the river.
The river was running deep and fast this shot is looking back the way I had just come.
I had my concerns when I got to the falls, the “Twin Falls” had become Triplets. I would normally be down there with my GFX on a tripod trying to get the shot.
I went down anyway but decided to shoot a couple of handhelds with my Fujifilm X-T2 as the falls were heavy with spray and there was no way to safely be in the river trying to set up a tripod.
With all the dampness and high volume of water the brook had a Jurassic Park feel to it. This shot looks downstream from the falls.
I decided to head back upstream to the car for some lunch.
After lunch I changed from wellies to walking boots and set off for Bench Tor.
The path was clear and it wasn’t long before I was on the high ground fighting the winds, the earlier rain showers had passed giving some clouds and sunshine.
Although not a big Tor Bench Tor has some interesting rock formations.
Also a lone tree, I’ve lost count of the number of Tors I’ve been up with a lone tree, still can’t resist photographing them though.
There are good views from the top of Bench Tor, across over to Yar Tor, Sharp Tor, Corndon Down and Mel Tor in this instance.
And across to Combshead Tor.
The Dart Valley can be seen here as a deep Gorge running under the Tor.
Looking back South West I could see the weather closing in so set off back to the car.
That’s all for this week folks, sorry no Ponies again, I’ll try harder next week. As always, comments welcome.
Tags: Devon Dartmoor Landscape and travel Bench tor Venford Falls
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