Your R System Images - November 2025

[PKM-UK]

Service Announcement: This month’s thread is being posted a little early as we will be away for a few days through the start of November (Zoo Time!). The existing October thread remains open and available for image posts and comments...

We hope you enjoy creating memorable images this month!

Have fun - but stay safe and well…

Phil and Karen

——

Any R System images can be posted. If you would like to say something about the subject, settings, or processing, that will be very welcome.

Remember, you don't have to only post things you took this month - sometimes people don't get around to processing/ editing images straight away. (Think of it more as an ‘images I’d like to post here this month’ sort of thing). Images taken with non-R System lenses are also very welcome as this adds to the interest.

Images posted on this thread will also be available to view in the dedicated Monthly R System Images Gallery.

Commenting on people’s posts is encouraged, as it keeps everyone interested and coming back. (Please try to be considerate, thoughtful and constructive).

We aim to provide feedback - but note we are away for part of each month and busy with ‘life stuff’. The lack of a comment from us is not a sign of disfavour!

Finally, please post in accordance with the RF Shooters Community Guidelines.

Thank you!

 

[Bryan Conner]

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My wife and I took a walk this morning to a local area that we haven't visited in years. I used Google Gemini to create a short info of the stream pictured here: The Stille Bach (Quiet Stream) near Weingarten, Germany, is one of the oldest and most impressive canal systems in the country, expertly constructed by Benedictine monks of Weingarten Abbey. Its main construction spanned over half a millennium, from the 11th to the 17th centuries, to provide a reliable water supply to the otherwise waterless upper town and monastery. This complex network, covering about 25 km² and originally including up to ten canals and around 30 ponds, was vital for the monastery's operation, serving diverse uses such as drinking water, fire protection, and wastewater disposal via meadow irrigation channels called Rongsen. Crucially, the monks harnessed its hydropower to run at least 17 water wheels for eight grinding mills, five sawmills, and various other operations until the monastery's dissolution in 1803. In the age of industrialization, the waterways were repurposed for electricity generation, powering up to twelve turbines, but today, the Stille Bach is primarily a historical and natural landmark. Since 1985, it has been the focus of a "Water Engineering History Hiking Trail" (wasserbauhistorischer Wanderweg), inviting visitors to explore this remarkable testament to medieval hydraulic engineering and enjoy the local recreation area where brown trout now reside.

 

[MikeCMG]

Sankey Valley Park in Warrington, UK, on a day when the sun couldn't make its mind up.

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[MikeCMG]

More Sankey Valley Park, Warrington, UK

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[MikeCMG]

One more Sankey Valley Park, Warrington, UK.

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[MikeCMG]

Bridgewater Canal, Warrington, UK.

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[PKM-UK]

View attachment 40767

My wife and I took a walk this morning to a local area that we haven't visited in years. I used Google Gemini to create a short info of the stream pictured here: The Stille Bach (Quiet Stream) near Weingarten, Germany, is one of the oldest and most impressive canal systems in the country, expertly constructed by Benedictine monks of Weingarten Abbey. Its main construction spanned over half a millennium, from the 11th to the 17th centuries, to provide a reliable water supply to the otherwise waterless upper town and monastery. This complex network, covering about 25 km² and originally including up to ten canals and around 30 ponds, was vital for the monastery's operation, serving diverse uses such as drinking water, fire protection, and wastewater disposal via meadow irrigation channels called Rongsen. Crucially, the monks harnessed its hydropower to run at least 17 water wheels for eight grinding mills, five sawmills, and various other operations until the monastery's dissolution in 1803. In the age of industrialization, the waterways were repurposed for electricity generation, powering up to twelve turbines, but today, the Stille Bach is primarily a historical and natural landmark. Since 1985, it has been the focus of a "Water Engineering History Hiking Trail" (wasserbauhistorischer Wanderweg), inviting visitors to explore this remarkable testament to medieval hydraulic engineering and enjoy the local recreation area where brown trout now reside.

Hi Bryan,

A wonderful image to start the month off - beautiful colours highlighting a perfect composition, all made the more enthralling by the fascinating backstory.

Well seen and captured - thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Bridgewater Canal, Warrington, UK.

View attachment 40806

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the monthly thread!

A series of beautifully captured landscapes, all featuring a wealth of interest for the viewer - love the rich colours and glorious reflections.

(This - just - being our favourite!).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Images from our vaguely recent-ish (OK - spring) visit to Skipton Castle, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed with: DxO PL Elite/ ViewPoint and Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels. Karen used her iPhone and GoPro at this venue, so these are all by Phil). Our visit was made all the more challenging - in terms of securing ‘people-free shots’ - by a continuous stream of guided tours for visiting school children (all sporting high-visibility vests!). Having cycled there wearing cleated cycling shoes we discovered we'd forgot to pack our soft flip-flops (much kinder on delicate and historically important floor surfaces), so did the entire visit in just our socks (to the bemusement of the kids). Fortunately, it remained dry...

You can find out more about the history of Skipton Castle by clicking Here.

Phil and Karen


1. Shortly after 1090 Robert de Romille, a Norman, built a primitive timber fort to protect the area. In time this was replaced with a stone castle which stood upon a rocky bluff overlooking the Eller Beck.

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2. In 1310 the Clifford family were granted the property by King Edward II, with Robert Clifford being appointed first Lord Clifford of Skipton and Guardian of Craven (land lying to the north and west of Skipton).

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3. Robert Clifford began fortifying the castle, but he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 with the improved fortifications barely completed.

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4. During the English Civil War, Skipton Castle was the last bastion of the north, only yielding in 1645 after a 3-year siege.

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5. The castle was subsequently ‘slighted’ (razed) on the orders of Cromwell, but was restored by Lady Anne Clifford and it remained the principal family seat until 1676.

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6. Since 1956 the castle has been owned by the Fattorini family, who are dedicated to maintaining it as one of the most complete and well preserved medieval castles in England, and a substantial part remains open as a tourist attraction.

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(Source: Skipton Castle).

 

[THXGEEK]

Images from our vaguely recent-ish (OK - spring) visit to Skipton Castle, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England.


(Source: Skipton Castle).

Couple of thoughts...

1) Thank you for the wonderful pics and historical summary & link. Very informative! Most American brains pretty much only go back to 1776 (wasn't there some tiff about taxes?) and anything existing before that time is a source of continual amazement....

2) I hope you weren't wearing your polka-dot socks!

3) My next house will have a courtyard. You know you've really made it if you have a courtyard.

 

[Bryan Conner]

Hi Bryan,

A wonderful image to start the month off - beautiful colours highlighting a perfect composition, all made the more enthralling by the fascinating backstory.

Well seen and captured - thank you for sharing...

P&K

Thanks Karen and Phil. I have been inspired another certain couple on the forum in trying to provide the backstory. Any idea of that source of inspiration?

 

[Bryan Conner]

Images from our vaguely recent-ish (OK - spring) visit to Skipton Castle, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed with: DxO PL Elite/ ViewPoint and Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels. Karen used her iPhone and GoPro at this venue, so these are all by Phil). Our visit was made all the more challenging - in terms of securing ‘people-free shots’ - by a continuous stream of guided tours for visiting school children (all sporting high-visibility vests!). Having cycled there wearing cleated cycling shoes we discovered we'd forgot to pack our soft flip-flops (much kinder on delicate and historically important floor surfaces), so did the entire visit in just our socks (to the bemusement of the kids). Fortunately, it remained dry...

You can find out more about the history of Skipton Castle by clicking Here.

Phil and Karen


1. Shortly after 1090 Robert de Romille, a Norman, built a primitive timber fort to protect the area. In time this was replaced with a stone castle which stood upon a rocky bluff overlooking the Eller Beck.

View attachment 40827

2. In 1310 the Clifford family were granted the property by King Edward II, with Robert Clifford being appointed first Lord Clifford of Skipton and Guardian of Craven (land lying to the north and west of Skipton).

View attachment 40828

3. Robert Clifford began fortifying the castle, but he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 with the improved fortifications barely completed.

View attachment 40829

4. During the English Civil War, Skipton Castle was the last bastion of the north, only yielding in 1645 after a 3-year siege.

View attachment 40830

5. The castle was subsequently ‘slighted’ (razed) on the orders of Cromwell, but was restored by Lady Anne Clifford and it remained the principal family seat until 1676.

View attachment 40831

6. Since 1956 the castle has been owned by the Fattorini family, who are dedicated to maintaining it as one of the most complete and well preserved medieval castles in England, and a substantial part remains open as a tourist attraction.

View attachment 40832

(Source: Skipton Castle).

Fascinating, and very nice images. Medieval castles are definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[StevenAunan]

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[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we live in a remarkable place. Last weekend we spent a few nights in the Southern Alps with a bunch of friends. Here are a couple of shots from our Saturday walk (4.5 hours, 13km roundtrip, 680 m vertical).

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From the Bealey Spur track looking east(ish) along the valley of the Waimakariri river, with SWMBO providing scale. First bluebird day since a significant late spring snowfall.

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Looking up the Waimakariri valley towards the main divide, with the Bealey River flowing in on the right. The pass over to the West Coast is about 10km up the Bealey valley.

Not so much sun at The Punchbowl Falls on Sunday.

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Now I need to catch up with the mowing...

 

[PKM-UK]

Couple of thoughts...

1) Thank you for the wonderful pics and historical summary & link. Very informative! Most American brains pretty much only go back to 1776 (wasn't there some tiff about taxes?) and anything existing before that time is a source of continual amazement....

2) I hope you weren't wearing your polka-dot socks!

3) My next house will have a courtyard. You know you've really made it if you have a courtyard.

Hi Craig,

Cheers - much appreciated!

1. We have plenty of 'old, worn out and wrecked' things here (I have only to glance in the mirror)...

2. After the return ride (featuring a mixed paved/ gravel track route over a mountain) - our socks were in significantly better shape than we were...

3. Whilst a courtyard could be nice - one with a tree in the middle of it would be even better...



P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Fascinating, and very nice images. Medieval castles are definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing with us.

Hi Bryan,

Cheers - our pleasure!

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

View attachment 40853

Hi Steven,

To coin a phrase we use quite often on here - that's a very eye-catching image...

(Well seen and caught!).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we live in a remarkable place. Last weekend we spent a few nights in the Southern Alps with a bunch of friends. Here are a couple of shots from our Saturday walk (4.5 hours, 13km roundtrip, 680 m vertical).

View attachment 40861

From the Bealey Spur track looking east(ish) along the valley of the Waimakariri river, with SWMBO providing scale. First bluebird day since a significant late spring snowfall.

View attachment 40863

Looking up the Waimakariri valley towards the main divide, with the Bealey River flowing in on the right. The pass over to the West Coast is about 10km up the Bealey valley.

Not so much sun at The Punchbowl Falls on Sunday.

View attachment 40862

Now I need to catch up with the mowing...

Hi Gareth,

Glorious shots of breathtakingly expansive scenery - those falls are absolutely wonderful.

A joy to behold - thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[ACEkin]

Images from our vaguely recent-ish (OK - spring) visit to Skipton Castle, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed with: DxO PL Elite/ ViewPoint and Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels. Karen used her iPhone and GoPro at this venue, so these are all by Phil). Our visit was made all the more challenging - in terms of securing ‘people-free shots’ - by a continuous stream of guided tours for visiting school children (all sporting high-visibility vests!). Having cycled there wearing cleated cycling shoes we discovered we'd forgot to pack our soft flip-flops (much kinder on delicate and historically important floor surfaces), so did the entire visit in just our socks (to the bemusement of the kids). Fortunately, it remained dry...

You can find out more about the history of Skipton Castle by clicking Here.

Phil and Karen


1. Shortly after 1090 Robert de Romille, a Norman, built a primitive timber fort to protect the area. In time this was replaced with a stone castle which stood upon a rocky bluff overlooking the Eller Beck.

View attachment 40827

2. In 1310 the Clifford family were granted the property by King Edward II, with Robert Clifford being appointed first Lord Clifford of Skipton and Guardian of Craven (land lying to the north and west of Skipton).

View attachment 40828

3. Robert Clifford began fortifying the castle, but he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 with the improved fortifications barely completed.

View attachment 40829

4. During the English Civil War, Skipton Castle was the last bastion of the north, only yielding in 1645 after a 3-year siege.

View attachment 40830

5. The castle was subsequently ‘slighted’ (razed) on the orders of Cromwell, but was restored by Lady Anne Clifford and it remained the principal family seat until 1676.

View attachment 40831

6. Since 1956 the castle has been owned by the Fattorini family, who are dedicated to maintaining it as one of the most complete and well preserved medieval castles in England, and a substantial part remains open as a tourist attraction.

View attachment 40832

(Source: Skipton Castle).

The castle, its architecture, and history are quite interesting, but the tree in the courtyard with a gentle and steady swirl grabbed my eyes!

 

[ACEkin]

For those interested in fountain pens, I have a few more teasers here and more on my website. They are all focus stacked in Photoshop. The full article with more pens is on my website. I will publish one more article with pens with unusual looks or features, and stop boring many!!

A Sheaffer Balance

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A Montblanc Masterpiece 644

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A Lamy 2000 (Don't let its name fool anyone, it was introduced in 1966!)

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[PKM-UK]

The castle, its architecture, and history are quite interesting, but the tree in the courtyard with a gentle and steady swirl grabbed my eyes!

Hi Cemal,

Having carried out our usual in-depth pre-visit location research (i.e. 'zero'), the first sight of the tree did induce a wide-eyed double-take.

It is believed the (yew) tree was planted in 1659 by Lady Anne Clifford to celebrate the restoration of the castle after the English Civil War.

Phil

 

[PKM-UK]

For those interested in fountain pens, I have a few more teasers here and more on my website. They are all focus stacked in Photoshop. The full article with more pens is on my website. I will publish one more article with pens with unusual looks or features, and stop boring many!!

A Sheaffer Balance

View attachment 40867

A Montblanc Masterpiece 644

View attachment 40868

A Lamy 2000 (Don't let its name fool anyone, it was introduced in 1966!)

View attachment 40869

Hi Cemal,

Another set of absolutely exquisite pens, beautifully captured and perfectly presented.

Inspirational images of fascinating subjects - thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[MikeZ]

Once again, beautiful pens and beautiful photography.