River Usk post-Storm Bert

Embracing the Calm After the Storm: A Morning at the River Usk Post-Storm Bert

Nature has a way of humbling us with its unpredictable beauty. Yesterday, Storm Bert swept through with unrelenting force, transforming the familiar landscapes of Llanellen into something both wild and mesmerizing. The River Usk, typically a peaceful ribbon of water, became a testament to nature’s power, spilling over its banks and flooding the surrounding fields. Roads were closed, the air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth, and the storm left an indelible mark on the countryside.

This morning, with the storm a memory, I set out to capture the quiet aftermath—a glimpse of nature’s resilience and renewal.

The Early Start: Chasing the Light

The weather app and my trusty drone app both confirmed it: sunrise was my only window to fly today. Early mornings are my favourite for photography and drone flights—there’s a magic to the golden hour, where the world seems softer, quieter, and infinitely more inviting.

Driving to the river, I hoped to catch the sunrise reflecting off the water’s surface, the light breaking through the clouds and illuminating the aftermath of Storm Bert. But as I approached, rain showers rolled in, obscuring the sky and draping the landscape in a moody grey.

Undeterred, I pivoted. Sometimes, the story you plan to tell isn’t the one you end up capturing.

A Landscape Transformed River Usk post-Storm Bert

Storm Bert had left its mark. The River Usk, swollen from the deluge, had receded slightly but still held an air of defiance. The surrounding fields were submerged, turning them into temporary lakes. The road to Llanellen was still impassable, a reminder of the storm’s ferocity.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there was beauty. The water mirrored the sky, a blend of soft blues and silvers, interrupted only by the occasional ripple. Trees, their roots submerged, stood tall as if guarding the flooded fields. The scene was hauntingly beautiful—a reminder of nature’s duality: destructive yet serene.

A Change of Plans: Finding Beauty at Home

When the rain showers became persistent, I decided to head back home. It was a short drive, and as I arrived, the skies began to clear. With no rain in sight and the sun teasing the horizon, I decided to give it another go. I launched my DJI Mini 3 Pro once more, this time capturing the sunrise over the village.

The scene was breathtaking. The rooftops glowed golden in the early morning light, the trees casting long shadows on the ground below. It wasn’t the River Usk I had planned to capture, but it was no less beautiful. Sometimes, the most unexpected moments yield the most striking results.

The Flying Camera: Tools and Techniques

Photography and videography have always been passions of mine, and drones have added a new dimension to my storytelling. The DJI Mini 3 Pro, my flying companion, is a marvel of technology. Lightweight yet powerful, it allows me to capture perspectives that would otherwise be impossible.

For this session, I used the drone to focus on wide shots of the landscape, highlighting the interplay between light and shadow. The aftermath of the storm provided natural drama: the reflective floodwaters, the vibrant greens of the fields against the muted greys of the sky, and the warm tones of the rising sun.

Post-processing was done in Lightroom, where I enhanced the colours and brought out the textures of the landscape. Editing is as much a part of the storytelling process as the photography itself. It allows me to bring my vision to life, emphasizing the elements that caught my eye during the shoot.

Lessons from the Landscape

This morning’s adventure wasn’t just about capturing images; it was a reminder of the lessons nature offers us. Storm Bert may have disrupted daily life, but it also revealed the resilience of the land and the beauty that emerges after a storm.

  1. Adaptability is Key: The rain showers forced me to change plans, but that pivot led to some of the most striking shots of the day. In life, as in photography, flexibility can lead to unexpected rewards.
  2. The Beauty of Impermanence: The flooded fields, though temporary, held a unique beauty. They’ll dry out soon, but for now, they reflect the sky in ways they never could under normal circumstances. There’s value in appreciating things as they are, even if they’re fleeting.
  3. Finding Stillness: Standing by the river, watching the sun rise over the village, I was reminded of the importance of stillness. After the chaos of the storm, the quiet moments felt even more profound.

Future Plans: Sharing the Process

As I reviewed the footage and edited the photos, I realized how much I enjoy the creative process. It’s not just about capturing images but about shaping them to tell a story. I’m considering creating a video tutorial to share my post-processing workflow, walking viewers through how I take raw footage and transform it into a finished product. If that’s something you’d like to see, let me know in the comments below!

Conclusion: The Magic of Morning River Usk post-Storm Bert

Nature has a way of surprising us, of showing us beauty in the aftermath of chaos. This morning’s visit to the River Usk was a testament to that. Though Storm Bert left its mark, it also set the stage for a stunning sunrise and a series of images that capture both the storm’s power and the land’s resilience.

To anyone reading this: I encourage you to step outside after a storm, camera or not, and witness the transformation for yourself. Something is humbling about seeing nature’s ability to endure, adapt, and thrive.

Until the next adventure, stay curious and keep exploring.


#DronePhotography #NatureAfterStorm #RiverUsk #GoldenHourAdventures #PostStormBeauty


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