Postcards from the River Ely
The River Ely begins its journey in the mountains of the Rhondda valleys. Its Northernmost source seeps out of the ground on Mynydd Penygraig. The rain soaked hills above Gilfach Goch, Edmondstown and Trebanog add weight to the current as it trickles and tumbles down steep sided valleys to the town of Tonyrefail. From Tonyrefail the river has cut through Smilog Forest along the valley that bears its name. At Ynysmaerdy it joins with its largest tributary the Clun before winding out of the Rhondda hills towards the open pastures and hamlets in the Vale of Glamorgan. It slow water bronze in colour gathers in volume as it reaches the western edges of the Welsh capital. Snaking out across Leckwith moor at the western edge of the city to Grangetown and Penarth cliffs where it joins the sea in Cardiff bay. This series of 10 images explores the course of the river and the landscape through which it travels.