More ducks...

...and why not? Nobody reads this stuff, anyway: I'll write whatever I like. The mandarin family (previous post) is now down to just two; three ducklings have gone since Monday. Sadly, nature is harsh. The concept of all the animals gathering together at the end of the day in a woodland clearing, seated on treestumps drinking tea from china cups - all accompanied by a rabbit on a banjo - are entirely false.
So, I decide to photograph the mallards instead.

© 2008

The perils of the natural world...

Apart from shooting images of the pied wagtail (previous post), I also made a number of photographs of a young family of mandarin ducks. There were, at the time, four ducklings, but on my return today there were just two remaining. I can only assume that two have become the victims of natural predators, so much of my attention was directed at recording this small family. Curiously, the drake has not been in evidence to offer any sort of protection; this is the case for both mandarin families on Eyeworth pond, and is possibly a charactistic of the species.

© 2008

Hunting wagtail...

I spent most of the afternoon at Eyeworth pond, in the New Forest, photographing anything that came by; notably a mandarin duck and her four ducklings, who made several close passes (on foot!). But my attention was caught by a pied wagtail (Motacilla alba), that would periodically hover over the lilly pads in search of a meal. Capturing this erratic behaviour with a telephoto lens is no easy task, and out of all the frames I shot this image was the best. It shows the result of a successful swoop, and an unfortunate damselfly becomes part of the food chain.

© 2008

Jolly Roger...

Is the crane operator on the site of Boscombe Spa Village trying to tell us something? The flag being flown from the top is known in pirate circles as the Jolly Roger, or Skull and Crossbones. It was historically flown to identify pirate activity, and this design, used by Edward England, dates back to around 1720.
I'm sure the driver has a valid reason for adorning his crane the way he has (although it beats me!).

© 2008

Summer solstice, 2008...

So, it's the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere...hang-on, these are the same words I used to start the post on the summer solstice last year; but then again, it's the same weather. The image shows deck-chairs set out for the summer visitors, and an RNLI Lifeguard setting up windbreaks in the background on Southbourne beach, Dorset, this morning, in prepatation to keep a close eye on swimmers, or anyone else using the local beaches. The main problem is that few people actually do, these days. Although the seven miles of sand beaches are kept to a high standard by the local council, they mostly get used by the odd dog-walker, or early morning jogger/fitness enthusiast. Maybe the current "credit crunch" will entice holidaymakers back to seaside resorts next year.
There was no visible sunrise to mark the start of the celebrations of Pagan rituals this year, and I left the beach just as the persistant drizzle closed in from the west.

© 2008

Now, there's a surprise...

It has recently been reported that the much talked-about artificial surf reef at Boscombe, Dorset, will eventually cost double the original estimate. The original figure of £1.3 million is likely to double before completion, and as I write, construction has still not started: let's hope it's a success (if it ever gets built).
Oh, yes, the image: I shot it this morning.

© 2008

Web address...

It was an early start today, on banks of the Dorset Stour. There was still overnight mist at 5:00am, which is always photogenic, especially when back-lit by the sun. Spider webs, heavily laden with dew, continue to fascinate, and it is remarkable that these little guys manage to spin the webs they do without the aid of a diagram.
The teasel image shows how effective dawn light can be for the photographer, although it means getting out of bed at 3:30 am at this time of year to be there as it happens.

© 2008

Boscombe Spa Village: different perspective...

Taking advantage of the now-open Boscombe pier, I get my first shots of the Boscombe Spa Village development from a seaward viewpoint, as the pier had long been closed to the public before any visible signs of construction were apparent.
The construction of the much publicised artificial surf reef to the east of the pier has still not started, although latest news hints that this will commence this month.

© 2008

Boscombe pier

Shot early today, the image shows off the new planking of Boscombe pier. Despite the free admission, there was very little human traffic on the pier, making photography easier from my point of view.
Ever since the demolition of the Mermaid theatre at the pier end, the structure has taken on a more stark appearance, loosing most of its character, and to me seems little more than a glorified jetty (albeit without the landing stage).

© 2008

Boscombe Spa Village...latest image

The image, photographed from the beach at low tide, shows how Boscombe Spa Village continues to grow in an easterly direction along the Dorset seafront.

The recently renovated pier was reopened to the public on 24th May.

© 2008