From beautiful beaches to enchanting misty hills, these pictures of the ‘perfect county’ Devon, taken by a former meteorologist, will take you to heaven

From beautiful beaches to enchanting misty hills, these pictures of the ‘perfect county’ Devon, taken by a former meteorologist, will take you to heaven

a former Meteorological Office The scientist is now using his weather forecasting skills to become a travel photographer.

And the pictures in his new book, Devon Moods: Landscape photography inspired by Devon is proof that the tactic is effective – because it’s incredible.

Gary Holpinfrom the town of Honiton in Devon was able to point out the best times and places in his home country to capture perfect sunrises, sunsets, cloud formations, clear skies, fog, rainbows and the Milky Way.

The photos are accompanied by words from the award-winning travel writer Simon Heptinstaller, for example, revealed that one image was based on weeks of research into the best dates and times to view the Milky Way over Devon. He went on to explain: “Gary then worked out where the best place to take photos was – and even in which direction. The weather had to be clear, but without disturbing moonlight. After five months of waiting, everything finally came together at 2am one night. The result was a stunning shot of Sidmouth with the Milky Way as a sparkling backdrop.”

It is a heavenly image, taken in a province that Simon considers unbeatable. He added: “Devon is the perfect county for a book of landscape photographs.” It is not only big, our third largest province, but it is also unique. It offers far more diversity than any other province: cities, high wilderness, national parks, world heritage sites, surfing beaches, beautiful bays, rolling farmland, steep wooded estuaries, rocky headlands, long sandy beaches, forests and soft, grassy shores. There is everything from mining operations to a biosphere of sand dunes, from villages with thatched huts to rocky peaks that could be described as mountains. Which province can keep up?’ Scroll down for a sneak peek at the selection of images from the volume…

Devon Moods is a new book by former Met Office scientist Gary Holpin, who now uses his weather forecasting skills as a travel photographer. The images are accompanied by words from travel writer Simon Heptinstall. He told MailOnline Travel that this hypnotic image was “based on weeks of research into the best dates and times to view the Milky Way over Devon”. The result was “a beautiful image taken over Sidmouth, with the Milky Way as a sparkling backdrop.”

An incredible photo by Gary of one of the most iconic landmarks on the English Riviera: Paignton Pier

An incredible photo by Gary of one of the most iconic landmarks on the English Riviera: Paignton Pier

This beautiful photo shows the River Otter flowing past Honiton and finally flowing to the Jurassic Coast at Budleigh Salterton

This beautiful photo shows the River Otter flowing past Honiton and finally flowing to the Jurassic Coast at Budleigh Salterton

In this mesmerizing shot, rays of sunlight break through the clouds over three miles of Woolacombe Beach

In this mesmerizing shot, rays of sunlight break through the clouds over three miles of Woolacombe Beach

A snowy Dartmoor.  The national park is about the same size as Greater London and is known for its

A snowy Dartmoor. The national park is about the same size as Greater London and is famous for its “tors”, striking pieces of ancient granite

A beautiful photo taken by Gary from the Great Hangman in North Devon, which at 318 meters is England's highest sea cliff

A beautiful photo taken by Gary from the Great Hangman in North Devon, which at 318 meters is England’s highest sea cliff

A charming photo taken by Gary along the South Devon coast near the village of Branscombe

A charming photo taken by Gary along the South Devon coast near the village of Branscombe

A double rainbow caught by Gary over the moors of Dartmoor National Park

A double rainbow caught by Gary over the moors of Dartmoor National Park

Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens are covered in snow.  The white zigzag stairs were built in the 19th century and are known as Jacob's ladder

Sidmouth’s Connaught Gardens are covered in snow. The white zigzag stairs were built in the 19th century and are known as Jacob’s ladder

Above is a beautiful photo taken by Gary of the fishing village of Brixham, home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK

Above is a beautiful photo taken by Gary of the fishing village of Brixham, home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK

A beautiful photo of a wintry county gate where Devon and West Somerset meet.  Simon described Devon as having

A beautiful photo of a wintry county gate where Devon and West Somerset meet. Simon described Devon as having “far more variety than any other country”.

A misty landscape captured in a seductive photo by Gary from Hartridge Hill in the Otter Valley, East Devon

A misty landscape captured in a seductive photo by Gary from Hartridge Hill in the Otter Valley, East Devon

Here, Gary captured a ghostly, graffiti-painted shipwreck near Instow in North Devon

Here, Gary captured a ghostly, graffiti-painted shipwreck near Instow in North Devon

In this enchanting photo, the market town of Honiton is surrounded by a cloud of fog

In this enchanting photo, the market town of Honiton is surrounded by a cloud of fog

The landmark Dumpdon Hill rises 250 meters above the River Otter Valley and is home to the remains of an impressive Iron Age hill fort.  The beech trees at the top give the hill a characteristic

The landmark Dumpdon Hill rises 250 meters above the River Otter Valley and is home to the remains of an impressive Iron Age hill fort. The beech trees at the top give the hill a characteristic “crown”.

Teignmouth's 19th century cast iron Grand Pier, photographed under a battered sky

Teignmouth’s 19th century cast iron Grand Pier, photographed under a battered sky

Humorous skies over Croyde Beach in North Devon.  Simon has his homeland as

Humorous skies over Croyde Beach in North Devon. Simon described his homeland as “vast and unique”.

A beautiful photo taken in the picturesque market town of Topsham in South Devon, south of Exeter

A beautiful photo taken in the picturesque market town of Topsham in South Devon, south of Exeter

Nun's Cross Farm in Dartmoor National Park, built in 1870 and now run as a dormitory by a local school

Nun’s Cross Farm in Dartmoor National Park, built in 1870 and now run as a dormitory by a local school

This stunning image shows the remote Warren House Inn on Dartmoor, said to be the highest pub in southern England at 434 meters above sea level

This stunning image shows the remote Warren House Inn on Dartmoor, which claims to be the highest pub in southern England at 434 meters above sea level

Simon says:

Simon says: “Devon is the perfect county for a book of landscape photographs.” “Our third largest county is not only large, but unique.” Pictured is the Belvedere Tower on the Haldon Hills

Photographer Gary Holpin lives in the village of Honiton in Devon
Travel writer Simon Heptinstall

Photographer Gary Holpin (left) lives in the village of Honiton in Devon. Pictured right is travel writer Simon Heptinstall

Devon Moods: Landscape Photography Inspired by Devon, with photography by Gary Holpin and writing by Simon Heptinstall, is now available from Amazon, priced at £15.99

Devon Moods: Landscape Photography Inspired by Devon, with photography by Gary Holpin and writing by Simon Heptinstall, is available now from Amazon, priced at £15.99

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