Last summer I tagged along with the local geology group on a visit to a nearby quarry, taking my Super Ikonta 530/16 and a roll of Delta 100 with me. Health and Safety being what it is working quarries are normally out of bounds, but on a Sunday they let in groups of interested geologists (and naturalists) as long as they have hi-vis. jackets and hard-hats. I actually spent most of the time outside the limits of the working site, bare rock faces produce in me a ‘seen it, can I go now?’ reaction. These photos I took on the walk in and on the way back out again.
At the bottom of the quarry; huge boulders of Wenlock sandstone extracted from the vertical bedding of the quarry face. The excavator bucket is about 1 metre high to give an idea of size.
Interesting fact here: Peregrine falcons nest in the quarry, according to the quarry manager they always choose a location to nest right above where the quarry is parking the extraction equipment at the time (it moves around as the quarry faces move). That way Buzzards, Ravens and other birds that might predate the nest are put off by the disturbance from the quarry staff and the machines. The Peregrines seem to be not at all bothered by the presence of workers and large machinery.
On a working day it would be impossible to get anywhere near the hoppers, graders and loading conveyors (and far too dusty to risk a camera), but on a weekend it is possible to walk up to them. They are right beside a public road anyway.
For when you feel the need to do something creative on a wet weekend and are finding Duplo bricks too small and fiddly the quarry makes giant concrete versions that you can play around with using your tele-handler.
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Simon Foale on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Jeff T. on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Charles Young on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
beautiful classic camera with no batteries
geology always has a story to tell, typically from millions of years ago
machinery has a story too!
Michael Jardine on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Erik Brammer on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Interesting to see those giant lego bricks. Those were used at our latest Christmas market in my hometown Darmstadt to prevent some random lunatic from entering it with a car and running people over. Which sadly has happened on a couple of occasions in recent years.
Maybe these bricks came from the quarry you visited?
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Gary Smith on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Thanks for sharing.
Comment posted: 02/05/2026
Jeffery Luhn on 5 Frames in a Welsh Quarry
Comment posted: 03/05/2026
Very nice photos! I'm wondering about your developer and process. Are they prints or scans? Great composition and quality.
I have several Zeiss cameras, in various stages of condition. A 531-2 (6x9) is in the best shape, but my 530 also works. I also have a couple of Mamiya 6 models and the 35mm Contessa models. I love those folders. Still a bargain. Great glass! Fun to shoot. Keep posting! I like your work!
Comment posted: 03/05/2026
Comment posted: 03/05/2026