Windy Post in Winter, a photo from Devon, England

Photographer's Note

'Lonely there, betwixt moor and sky,

Where great grey clouds go drifting by,

And the peewit utters her plaintive cry,

The Windy Post stands silently.'

To the north west of Feather Tor stands an ancient and rugged granite cross known as either the Beckamoor Cross or more romantically the Windy Post and Windy Stone. For centuries this lone cross has stood upon the bleak moorland with just the murmuring Grimstone and Sortridge leat for company. Many writers consider that the age of the cross dates back to the sixteenth century and that possibly it replaced a much earlier cross, English Heritage however notes on its Pastscape Record that the cross is of medieval origin and date it to between 1400 and 1499 which tends to buck the trend of all Dartmoor writers. Today the time-worn granite pillar displays the effects of numerous cattle and ponies rubbing up against it which has resulted in a somewhat 'drunken' tilt. As with many of Dartmoor's granite relics the Windy Post proudly wears a multi-coloured coat of lichens which serve to emphasise its rugged texture. The cross itself is best described by one who viewed it many years ago when the ravages of time and nature had impacted less on its appearance:

'In a gap in the hills, nigh Feather Tor and westerly of the Vixen, stands an old crooked granite post. The Windy-stone is seven feet high and from afar suggests some giant human figure bending forward as he tramps the desolation; but seen at hand this memorial of the Middle Ages resolves itself into the symbol of Christianity. Shaft and arms are octagonal and in fair preservation. Centuries of wild weather, flood, and frost, have driven the cross out of the perpendicular; time has fretted its angles; but still the grey stone, clad in venerable vesture of jade and black lichens; shall be seen to stand nobly on the heath. It glitters by day with the transparent quartz crystals that form part of its amorphous substance; and by night withdraws into a formless shadow against the sky', Eden Phillpotts, The Mother.

gildasjan, brianmcc, bayno, snunney, rigoletto, SnapRJW, nikkitta, jester5, paololg, jhm, timecapturer, adores has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gildasjan (43826) 2011-12-17 3:49

Bonjour Leslie
Un trиs bon cadrage de cette croix dans cette image rйalisйe en sйpia.Une atmosphиre trиs particuliиre se dйgage de cette image.
Cordialement
gildas

rbassin (27472) 2011-12-17 3:49

Hello Leslie
Un paysage йtrange, le N&B et le ciel renforce l'atmosphиre sombre du site.
Un bon cadrage avec la croix en pierre sur le cфtй.
Un bon W-E
Roland

brianmcc (6223) 2011-12-17 4:02

hi les,
fantastic picture. the scene is very moody and atmospheric. the sepia effect tone adds to the mood. perfect composition with the cross standing out superbly. the clouds look very menacing. you can almost feel the cold.
regards,
brian

rigoletto (34279) 2011-12-17 4:02

Hello Leslie,
Besides the beautiful sepia rendering, successfull composition and the moody atmosphere, i am amazed to see a forlorn historical artifact on barren land. In Turkey we have billons of such forgotten histroical sites, but i would not expect to see the same in UK. Yet i guess there should have been archaeologial excavations around.
Best regards,
Deniz

bayno (18348) 2011-12-17 4:06

Hi Leslie, I'm completely atheist, and I have not much sympathy for the crosses, but your shot is fantasic, I would say dramatic, framing is perfect, beautiful sepia, great job in PP

snunney (130967) 2011-12-17 4:15

Hello Les,
The use of black and white heightens the mood no end and perfectly suits the subject. The cross is well placed in the frame and helps give the stormy landscape great depth. Fine range of tones and good sharpness.

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-12-17 5:25

Hello Leslie - Your shot shows the bleak and forbidding side of Dartmoor really well , the monochrome treatment adds to the mood. I can easily imagine an escapee from Dartmoor prison roaming around or the Hounds of the Baskervilles appearing looking full of menace. The cross is really well placed within the frame and are those two escapees I see walking towards you? Excellent shot. Have a good weekend. Rosemary

Ilducabianco (940) 2011-12-17 5:25

Hi Leslie,

you managed to recreate a great atmosphere in this image.Dreary, grim, upsetting, excellent the choice of sepia.Also first-rate is the composition, with the dark clouds aloft giving a greater feeling of constriction.The small river takes us inside the distant and mysterious moor "observed" by the silent cross, as in a Poe's work.Really of great fascination.

TFS

Alessio

dale54 (17750) 2011-12-17 6:19

leslie hello,super duper shot love this!this shot has feel to it for sure,this is great work!have a great weekend! dr

nikkitta (17070) 2011-12-17 6:57

Hola Leslie

Dramatic landscape with the lonely cross at the left
The sepia color,frame and all scene are moody

Informative note
Greetings
Maria

DarkoG (8) 2011-12-17 6:57

excellent. fine mood, good compo. top quality
regards Darko

scorfel (4294) 2011-12-17 8:51

Belle compo, beau traitement, le rendu est efficace et trиs beau.

Alex

CLODO (45116) 2011-12-17 10:28

Good evening Leslie

The sepia color adds sadness to your well framed picture. Dramatic sky over this hilly landscape.
Cheers
CLODO

paololg (31448) 2011-12-17 15:14

Ciao dear Leslie,
fantastic image, very impressive thanks above all to the good choice of sepia tones. The dramatic sky helps to create an interesting atmosphere, mystical and dramatic. Very interesting also the history of this ancient cross. Really an excellent shot, congratulations!
Ciao, have a nice Sunday!
Paolo

emka (157280) 2011-12-17 22:48

Hi Les,

Very melancholic photo of the old cross. I like the sepia post processing. Excellent illustration to the poem. Fantastic moody image.

Warm regrads

MAlgo

jhm (211734) 2011-12-18 2:50

Hello Leslie,

You started with a very good poem, this suits perfect by these black and white picture
Sharpness and clarity are pleasant for look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

gmg (4202) 2011-12-18 3:30

Hi Leslie

Beautiful landscape, good composition with the cross properly located, strong atmosphere.
Well done!

TFS

gmg

timecapturer (49288) 2011-12-18 3:46

Hi Les
an atmospheric shot and composition, it just exudes a sense of loneliness and isolation. So effective and I love the grainy almost sepia tones here. A distinctive image and presentation.

Enjoy a peaceful Sunday - regards Brian.

patmor (576) 2011-12-18 10:58

Bonsoir leslie,
J'aime beaucoup cette ambiance de fin du monde au bout du monde.
Merci du partage.
Patrice

sandpiper (6788) 2011-12-18 11:13

Hi Leslie

It certainly does look cold and bleak and the sepia tones highlight this further. Grea composition and PP work

Chris

adores (46979) 2011-12-20 17:25

Hi Leslie!
Such a great atmosphere here! I like the grain and the sepia - they are really suitable for this impressive composition with the ancient cross in foreground and the wide moorland with those people in background. Good work!

Tigerlily (3381) 2012-04-23 14:44

Hi Les,
You have a great PF, excellent images with beautiful colour and light.. this one with great atomsphere, a powerful&timeless image.
Jasmine