Molayem ART Magazine International Art Magazine
Based in the stunning Wharfedale valley, the Yorkshire photographer Rebecca Cole likes to capture a smile when she’s walking with her camera, but not always of the human kind.
Pareidolia is the phenomenon that causes us to perceive things such as animals or faces where they don’t actually exist. You’ve probably seen documented the wonderful shapes created by starling murmurations. So what is there to find on the heather landscape of Ilkley Moor? The answer lies in the gritstone.
Cole explains: ‘Through the tunnel vision of my soaking hood, I noticed a face in one of the many gritstone boulders. It was my first sighting of a Moors Dweller. It made my smile in the most abysmal weather and made a very good reason to keep on looking.’
Among the wildlife and landscapes of her daily photo journal, Cole records Moors Dwellers and then saves them on Blipfoto, a community-owned website. Take a look and see if you can ‘see’ them too
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1. The Pancake Stone
This is the Pancake Stone, named for the precarious flat stone on top but whoever would call it that with a profile like this? Even the stones wear flat caps in Yorkshire
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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2. The Witching Hour
Perhaps more visible around Halloween, particularly as the sun goes down …
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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3. Foggy Find
I don’t know if it’s the lack of view that helps with the discovery of Moors Dwellers or the tunnel vision from a hood, but bad weather does seem to make them stand out
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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4. Hippo and Sheep
It was rather rubbish weather really, but what’s not to smile about when you spot a grinning hippo on the moors?
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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5. Little Dog Meets Big Dog
See him? Look out for the huge dog’s face profile against the skyline
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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6. Don’t Pull That Face
On a day of grimness and wild winds, it’s hardly surprising this one’s so grumpy
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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7. Sunshine on Your Face
After a complete washout of a day yesterday, the rain this morning cleared to this sight by 9.30am. The man on the moors was enjoying it too. This is Ilkley’s iconic landmark, The Cow and Calf Rocks, from a less photographed angle
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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8. Dogs See Them Too
I looked up from the camera and there they were, just having a chat. He didn’t seem the happiest soul this morning, but I’m sure he smiles when the sun’s out.
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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9. Snowy Apparition
Her winter visits are fleeting
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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10. Conversation With a Sperm Whale
It seemed very much at home in the deluge.
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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11. Whale Migration
Where are they all coming from? You don’t often see so many so far inland. Is my hood focusing the mind somewhat?
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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12. And Now Fish
A touch of coloured filter was important here to help set the tropical underwater scene. Do you see my stripy moors fish? How about the second one bringing up the rear?
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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13. Woof
No kidding, I was standing right here thinking how great it would be if one of the Moors Dwellers showed up
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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14. Yoda
He’s a new one on the moors. I wonder if it was him that pushed me into the stream this morning. It was a day of ice packs. Nothing seems broken
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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15. Stylish
I think his purple heather hair would have looked pretty cool in the summer, but maybe he only comes out to play in the fog
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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16. Caught Snoozing
Daily photography clears my mind and focuses me on the present. I enjoy looking for things that I know will give me a lift, be it a bird, insect, landscape or these more elusive Moors Dwellers
Photograph: Rebecca Cole
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