The Stonehenge Stroller...

This morning, I took the Big Sig (150-500mm Sigma) out for a long walk, starting at Amesbury town centre and ending up (eventually) in Larkhill military camp, for the return bus home.

I walked among ancient barrows, along a Curcus, up the Avenue, saw and snapped a roe herd, a couple of buzzards and a hare and like it or not, the greater coloured dressed members of the public, swarming around the ancient stones, taking selfies and photos, better than actually taking bits of the stones themselves, of course, like the Victorians allegedly did.... 

Lovely tree tufted burial mounds, grass topped tumuli and fluffy clouds - the usual smattering of assorted 'vehicles' parked on the public access track and some sheep, blinking and nibbling in the hazy sun.

That sun, believe it or not, was enough to create a small amount of heat haze, the big lens at 500mm (equivalent to 750mm, here) revealed a definite 'swimming' effect, which robs sharpness, of course.

I was always within the Permissive Access area, free to walk (for free), on ground owned by the National Trust - ironic and odd that Stonehenge itself - and its commercial side and the new Visitor Centre are all under the umbrella of English Heritage. NT have provided excellent information boards in salient positions to let you know what you are looking at.

I took this very long shot from the top of the biggest tumulus that forms the line of such north and west of the Stones. I sliced off the top third as the severe foreshortening brought the powerlines from the pylons, over a mile away and a little from the bottom. I left in the Heelstone on the left on purpose. I liked the groupings of the visitors here.

I see that it is Mono Monday - after I had already turned this into a more Victorian looking study - the stones and background were otherwise really rather greeny blue and as I said before, folk wear the nastiness of garish pinks and yellows.

HUGE thanks for all the Favourites and stuff on yesterday's field rug - it has done even better on the 'other' site, where it has topped the Most Popular over there most of the day!