Sun arise...

Although the UK changed its clocks to British Summertime yesterday it's a phrase that belies the current climate. Early morning, especially pre-dawn, is still winter-like with the temperature hovering around the 0˚Celsius mark: but let's not let that get in the way of being out early for some first light photography.
Today's image shows the sunrise over Mudeford sandspit, which forms part of the entrance to Christchurch harbour, Dorset, at 6:49 am. I used a x1.4 teleconverter on a 300mm lens and cropped the image for more impact, but it must be said here that it is never safe to view the sun through optical instruments, no matter how weak the orb appears to be.

300mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor +x1.4 TC. 1/250 second at f/8. +0.67 EV. ISO 200.

© 2009

Old Harry (and his wife)...

The numerous workings at Hengistbury Head, Boscombe beach and Durley Chine were showing no signs of activity today (small wonder, as it's a Sunday), so I decide to use the continuing fine weather to cycle the seven miles of beach front promenade purely for the exercise.
My first stop was Alum Chine, Poole bay, and it was there that I shoot today's image of Old Harry Rock (far left of image), just over 4 miles distant. These chalk sea stacks form the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and is the Purbeck equivalent of The Needles at the western end of the Isle of Wight, which is part of the same chalk ridge where the sea broke through to form the bay, some 10,000 years ago.
The word 'chine' is peculiar to Dorset and the Isle of Wight, and means "deep, narrow ravine cut through soft rocks by a water course descending steeply to the sea". A rather long winded meaning for such a short word.

300mm f/4D AF-S Nikkor. 1/640 second at f/5.6. ISO 200.

© 2009

Weekend working...

I pay an early morning visit to the site of the Boscombe surf reef, this time to photograph progress with the sand being stockpiled to the east of the pier. The loads from the dump trucks are being consolidated into several large piles by excavators (photo) for grading. The refinement is achieved by sifting the material on an industrial scale to remove sharp objects that may damage the geo-textile bags that give the reef its shape.
Whilst the large scale workings were all too obvious there were a number of lesser projects that largely went ignored, but are essential nonetheless. One such undertaking was maintenance of the local beach huts (bottom image) for the forthcoming summer season. These seaside cabins need to be kept in good condition by their owners, as prices are soaring. Nine of these 8ft by 11ft huts, that have no electricity or running water, have recently been snapped up by buyers, paying £40,000 for a 25 year lease. The huts do, however, command an uninterupted view of Poole bay.

Lens: Both images - 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor.
Top image: 1/640 second at f/6.3. +0.33EV. ISO 320. +0.9 ND Grey graduated filter.
Bottom image: 1/2000 second at f/4.5. ISO 200.

© 2009

Boscombe artificial reef - update...

For the past two weeks or so there have been signs of the resumption of activity on the Boscombe surf reef, Dorset. Work was suspended last November; colder sea temperatures encountered by divers, and dwindling hours of daylight were the reasons given at the time.
Initially the beach was fenced off from public use, but this week the heavy plant has again taken up residence adjacent to Boscombe pier.
Today I photographed excavators filling dump trucks with sand at Portman ravine, which is then transported nearly three quarters of a mile along the beach to where it is being stockpiled. This material has to be graded before it is fit to be pumped into the geo-textile bags which give the reef its shape, anchored to the sea bed. The remnants of the original pile were bulldozed flat shortly after work ceased during the autumn, and winter seas washed it away.
Costs of the artificial reef have more than doubled since construction began, largely due to the late start and bad weather last year, and there is still no guarantee the final outcome will be as expected.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. ISO 200.

© 2009

Beach replenishment update...

The beach replenishment at Southbourne, Dorset, is now well under way, and the operation draws its usual crowds to watch the process. Both images, made this afternoon, show the dredger Crestway in action, pumping material ashore through flexible pipes to be distributed by the bulldozers and excavators featured in recent posts.
The Crestway, a trailing suction dredger, is delivering mostly shingle that has been removed from licensed sites off the Isle of Wight, which can be seen in the background of the top image, along with The Needles rocks and their lighthouse on the horizon. The second photograph illustrates how the floating pipeline is attached to the ship, which is initially hauled into place at the bow with a crane before pumping starts.

Both images: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with x1.4 TC.
Top image: 1/2500 second at f/5. ISO 320
Below: 1/2000 second at f/5. ISO 250

© 2009

Master of flight...

The Wessex Hang-gliding and Paragliding club were out in force over the cliffs of Poole bay, Dorset, this afternoon. At one point there were six aloft simultaneously, each displaying their prowess as masters of the air, but they were eclipsed by the arrival of a Kestral (Falco tinnunculus) in search of a late afternoon meal (bottom image).
I have been keen to photograph this falcon for some time, but as is often the case it makes an appearance when I am ill equipped, lens wise. Today was no exception: My longest lens was at home. Despite this, an image is better than no image, so I shoot with what I have on the camera. I'm constantly amazed at this birds ability to hover motionless while scanning the ground below for a potential meal. True masters of flight.

Both images: 70-200 f/2.8 EX Sigma lens.
Top: 1/1000 second at f/5. ISO 200. +0.3 exposure compensation.
Bottom: 1/1600 second at f/5.6. ISO 200. +0.3 exposure compensation.

© 2009

Beach replenishment - latest...

Although the equipment has been in place for at least the last 16 days there is little, if any, evidence of the DEFRA-funded beach replenishment at the Southbourne-Hengistbury Head site in east Dorset. I've visited the area for the past three days and as yet have to witness any activity, although the support vessel MCA Ailsa was in attendance yesterday (top image). Once work began the team was scheduled for round-the-clock duties, though none of this has been evident and plant remains idle (bottom image). Admittedly, the weather was unpredictable today and may be a plausible reason for the delay, or maybe I've just turned up at quiet moments, such as tea and fag breaks, and missed the main event.

Top image: 70-200 f/2.8 EX Sigma lens. 1/1000 second at f/11. ISO 200.
Bottom image: 12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/8. ISO 200.

© 2009

The Bramble Bush Bay...

The Sandbanks peninsula and Studland, on opposing sides of the entrance to Poole harbour, Dorset, have been serviced by a chain link ferry that has been run by the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company since July 1926. Although restrictions were imposed on the service during World War II (at one stage being taken over by the military) the ferry has remained in operation ever since.
The image shows the ferry landing on the Sandbanks shore this afternoon - the third such vessel to be commissioned for the job - and the first to be given a name. The predecessors were simply called Ferry No. 1 and Ferry No. 2, both of which were steam driven. The one in operation at present is diesel-electric powered and has been crossing the mouth of the harbour since 1994.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/8. ISO 200. +.33 exposure compensation. 0.6 neutral density grey grad filter.

© 2009

Neptune gets a refit...

Work continues during the spring-like weather on the regeneration of Boscombe seafront, Dorset. Today's image shows builders active with the renovation of the Neptune bar with Boscombe Overstrand and Boscombe Spa Village - still under its crane - in the background.
Work on the artificial surf reef is due to start again next month, with construction costs beginning to spiral up (and up, I shouldn't wonder).

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX-DG lens. 1/180 second at f/8. ISO 100.

© 2009