Corris Corner
Corris corner is located at the opposite end of the Taly llyn pass to the Cad east and west locations. This location is famed for those stunning topside shots of aircraft in glorious sunlight and the lake as a stunning backdrop. Follow the road through the pass, keep on going past the Minfford Hotel and the very small hamlet of Minfford, keep following the road as it bends to the left and heads up hill. You will see 2 small lay-bys on the left hand side of the road and park in either of these. In between these gates is a gate( note this is private and permission should be sought before entering or using this track ) Once permission has been sought head up the track and closing each gate as you go through until you reach the third gate. Go on a little further and the road turns to the right and another uphill section, It is recommended to ignore the track upwards and head on the same bearing as the track you have just been on until you reach the fence line, taking care not to damage the fence, hop over . Now you can get your camera out and walk to the edge of the hill over looking the main road below. This location is ideal for those almost head on shots as aircraft bank hard around the corner, although it may be too low for the over water images. You can head up the hill with your camera out and keeping an eye out for aircraft heading through the pass, the trek upwards from here is only around 70ft(vertical), there are a small number of cut outs to make yourself comfortable and take the weight off your feet. Corris corner is best suited to mornings as the sun will cause problems after 1pm as it will be in your face. If you can see the Minfford hotel from your chosen position you will have around 5 seconds warning before you need to start shooting, tell tale give always are the shadows of the approaching aircraft on the western hill side, Particularly early in the mornings. A lens of around 300-400mm is best for this location for Hawks and fighter jets, and a zoom which can retract to 100mm is ideal if you get an Hercules turning the corner. Out of every ten aircraft to reach the corner 8 will turn hard left and on to Corris and follow the loop and 2 will head straight down the pass and over the lake and out to sea. The ones that head straight on tend to stick to the far side and a lens of around 600mm is needed for Hawks.
Directions: From the Crossfoxes carry on past the cad east and west locations until you are almost at the end of the pass with the lake in view. Follow the road to the left and head towards Corris. The road twists up hill, you will come across a lay-by on the left side of the road where you can park up. From the parking place you hop over the fence and up the hill once you are about 150ft up you need to head up towards the corner, hop over the fence you come across and climb up slightly until you can see down the pass. There is a natural platform offering a little comfort while you await your prey. The other alternative is to walk up the road slightly until you reach a gate with a track which winds its way up the hill. Please note this is private and you should seek permission to walk up this route. Follow the track until you reach a gate, pass the gate and when the track meets the next bend a path leads off it towards the corner of the pass (take this route). If you climb high enough at this location you will be able to get some over the water shots from this location. If you cannot see down the pass you wont get as much warning which could result in missed shots, a lens with a reach to 400mm is recommended for hawks at this location. A hercules will be around 100mm to fill the frame when showing its topside to you. You will get a few seconds warning of aircraft coming down the pass, often if its sunny in the mornings you will often see the shadow first.
Corris corner looking in the direction of the Cross foxes, click image for the full size image
Probably the best location in the loop to catch a C130 Hercules