Celia Bartlett Photography

17/08/2026

13/08/2026

Wednesday 12th August 2026
Toe Head, West Cork, Ireland
When I knew that we would be hosting guests in West Cork on the day of the eclipse, I was rather smug about the fact that apart from perhaps being in Spain right under the path of totality, it would be the next best place to view the event. On top of Toe Head, looking out across the sea to the last fingers of land of this furthest south west corner of Ireland, with 97% of totality

Preparations were made - timings checked, orientation cross checked on the ephemeris, eclipse specs and lens filters purchased well in advance and a dry run made in the stunning location to check how the sense of place would be incorporated into the shots.

On waking in the morning, the previously end to end clear blue skies that we had enjoyed for days on end, had given over to low clouds. As the day progressed, so did the density of the low cloud, and by 4pm, the sun was just about able to burn through a mist shroud.

Undeterred, we set up in our chosen location, just a hop and a skip from the house, and continued with the planned entertaining of our guests, with the slim hope of a dramatic break in the now, quite thick sea mist.

As we sat, laughing about the futility of our activity, the home made viewing box sat idly on the table and the colanders were put to an alternative use. Although we couldn”t actually see the sun, we did see the effects, with it becoming progressively gloomier but not totally dark, as 3% of sunshine is still very powerful. Even the birds chose an early roost, brought on by the lowering lux levels.

As the light levels began to increase again, we made a joint decision that we would put our redundant eclipse specs back to work in August 2027 when the next total eclipse is due to pass over southern Spain and north Africa.

01/08/2026

Thursday 28th July 2026
Church Stretton Shropshire
After a good few years enjoying shooting the renowned Cambridge Folk Festival, this is the first year of not being poised with the camera in the pit due to my relocation to Shropshire. ( I do miss the great atmosphere at Cherry Hinton)
Had a great night though being audience instead at the very much smaller this year, enjoying Dallahan - thanks guys!

No fancy photos to show but just a mention to check out these guys if you haven’t already come across them. Great energy and enthusiasm.

I’ll be back to the music photography again before too long, all being well.

17/07/2026

Friday 17th July 2026
Plaish, Shropshire
Forget the Blue Angels low pass. I may have moved to the middle of the Shropshire countryside but I was treated to an impromptu, and pretty much personal flypast by a pair of Spitfires - not once but twice today. I missed them with the camera as they went over this morning but that evocative engine note this afternoon had me ready with the 400mm.

Thanks guys!

Online details state :

Spitfire ML407, a two-seat Tr.9 trainer. Built in 1944, it served in 485 Squadron during WWll, flown by Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton, who shot down the first enemy aircraft on D-Day. Today, it remains active in U.K. air displays as the Grace Spitfire.

Spitfire PBIX famously known as “The Suffolk Spitfire” carries the unique, authentic combat livery of WZ-RR, representing the mount of Lt. Robert Connor of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, USAAF, during the Mediterranean Campaign in 1943.

Extra NG G-LILM is a private, two-seat, all-carbon-fiber aerobatic and cross-country aircraft.

Post Script
Apparently they went for a jaunt through the Mach Loop.

15/07/2026

Wednesday 15th July 2026
Dudley West Midlands
Born in Dudley Borough…

Yes both Stourbridge and Halesowen are two of the four towns which make up part of the Dudley Borough. That makes both Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, Black Country lads and worthy of the support I watched being installed yesterday, outside the Dudley Borough Council Chambers on Black Country Day.

Whilst I have to admit I’m not a football person, I will recognise when our national team is doing well, so I will leave it up to the spirit of another well-capped Black Country footballer, Duncan Edwards to point the way and say, over to you guys!
🤞🏻

14/07/2026

Tuesday 14th July 2026
Dudley, West Midlands
Ow bin ya?!
Happy Black Country Day.
Today is the 14th July, so I paid a visit back to my roots for Black Country Day - now that I’m only a short drive from Dudley. I have to say, it is not the place I left forty-five years ago. A lot has changed but I was pleased to see that the old Teddy Grays sweet shop still exists in the same place, and along with Boot’s, they seem to be the only two original shops from back then.

However, the one thing that hasn’t changed, is the famous view of the castle which pops into sight from various locations, and today, it was proudly flying the Black Country flag - the design depicting the chain making, the glass making cone and the ‘black by day and red by night’ colours of the industrial heritage.

The Black Country flag bunting stretched down the High Street and through the market place, where the design seemed to bear an uncanny connection to a particular bank logo (Dudley still has banks open on the High Street!) A wander down the old Birdcage Walk took me past the Dubliners Bar, (definitely wasn’t there back in my day!) where the whole selection of world flags were having a flutter in the breeze but the biggest flag of all was the Black Country flag draped over the counter.

Meanwhile, over at the Dudley Borough Council Chambers, bunting of two forms was in full flap - Black Country flag and the England flag, with more reasons than one to be sporting them both. Whilst today may also be Bastille Day, unfortunately team France didn’t seem to provide an extra excuse for celebration by the French.

Tomorrow is another day and team England has a couple of players which the Dudley Borough Council are watching with interest - let’s see tomorrow!

13/07/2026

Saturday 11th July 2026
South Shropshire
It’s now gone a full three months since we moved to Shropshire and we are taking every opportunity to integrate into the community. My neighbour has been reminding me for weeks that the Village Fete was a must visit - and so I did.

On a hot summer Saturday afternoon, the gentle tradition of a village coming together took place under the huge shady sweet chestnut tree in the old Vicarage garden.

From beetroot to barn owls; agricultural tractors to Aston Martins - it was all there.

Pimms for the parents, ice cream for the kids. Bottle stall and books, dragons and flowers. The Church Stretton Accordion band played the tune ‘Wimberries and Cream’ whilst a an SF50 Vision Jet gave a surprise flypast.

And the biggest hit of the day? The big blue water slide. Just a watering can and some washing up liquid and the kids were well away - simple pleasures on a hot day.

It is just so lovely to relax into this change of pace of life.

27/06/2026

Saturday 27th June 2026 - Sunday 5th July
Cardington, Shropshire
Swift Awareness Week

A group of village residents gathered recently with Shropshire Swifts Coordinator, Julie Cowley, to carry out a survey of swift nests in the village of Cardington.

These red-listed birds fly thousands of miles from Africa in May in order to breed but sadly, nest sites have dwindled due to human intervention. Now it is through the work of organisations, that existing nesting sites are being monitored with nest boxes and swift bricks also being installed on buildings. The nesting season is short, with the for-life pairs only raising one brood, if successful, before returning to Africa in August.

Swift were observed entering and leaving at least two active nest sites on the village church, with more nests likely on nearby buildings. Sadly, an injured swift was recovered that evening, and taken to Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock, where it was determined that its injuries were too serious to survive. It can only be hoped that this wasn’t a swift parent with a nest to attend to. These incredible summer visitors need all the help they can get to guarantee the survival of the species.

21/06/2026

Sunday 21st June 2026
Caer Caradoc, Shropshire
A new location for the solstice sunrise this year.

Locals climbed to the top of Caer Caradoc near Church Stretton, to watch the sun break through the clouds over The Wrekin at 04:47, signalling to official start of summer.

08/05/2026

Friday 8th May 2026
Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough
For how many of us, was this the defining moment in our interest, love and passion for nature and wildlife?

I am among those who is still in awe of this legend, this centenarian - he doesn’t need to be any more special than he is already. To go down in history as a pioneer of, and the greatest wildlife documentary producer.

I will unashamedly share a still from camera man, Martin Sunders to celebrate an incredible life that is