Bournemouth Air Festival (last day)...

Although poor weather restricted the scope of the aerobatic displays; low cloud and occasional rain, there were still substantial crowds occupying every vantage point for several miles to see the likes of The Red Arrows and a solo display from the Eurofighter Typhoon (very impressive performance - and very noisy).

The weather being what it was, I've decided not to post any images shot today, but instead include an image shot yesterday of the last airworthy de Havilland DH 110 Sea Vixen in the world, which is based at De Havilland Aviation, Bournemouth Airport. The photo shows the undercarriage lowered, and the arrester hook in the carrier-deck landing position.

Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. 1/1000 sec at f/4. ISO 100.

© 2008

Bournemouth Air Festival...

Day three (of four) of the inaugural Bournemouth Air Festival, and an estimated 300,000 people fill the seven miles of cliff tops and beaches, taking advantage of the summer sunshine. From what I experienced it has so far been a great success, with various aerobatic display teams - notably the RAF's Red Arrows - as well as solo performances from both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The big dissapointment was the cancellation of the appearance of the Avro Vulcan, all down to the repair of a minor technical problem, which was unable to be passed by the relevant inspectors in time for its scheduled slot. There was, however, another Avro-built aircraft present in the shape of a World War II Lancaster "City of Lincoln" bomber (first image), so all was not lost.
The second image shows some of the crowds, plus other attractions organised by the local council.

Both images: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. 1/200 sec at f/11. ISO 100

© 2008

Boscombe Surf Reef construction...

It's difficult to assess the progress being made with the construction of the artifical reef at Boscombe, Dorset, as most of it takes place under water, but as the pile of processed sand is diminishing it would be reasonalble to assume that something is taking place. The image shows the pipeline (not deployed) in the foreground through which the material is being pumped into the geotextile bags, although as it's the weekend (and a bank holiday one at that) there's no "hive of activity" for me to photograph.
The white-painted re-furbished beach chalets can be seen in the middle distance.

Sigma 70-200 lens. 1/320 sec at f/11. ISO 320.

© 2008

A lone dog walker...

On the south coast of the UK we are well into the latter half of summer, and there is even nature's first hints of autumn. Horse-Chesnuts (conkers) have been visible on the trees for several weeks in my locale, and the spiny cupules of Sweet-Chesnuts are already being blown from the branches of trees; something that usually can be expected during October. Even so, it's still a bit early to be getting excited about all that low, raking light that comes with the winter months ( I can hardly wait).
The light is also changing, and early morning mists are more frequent, giving the photographer something to work with other than the brutal light of a summer's day.

The image is of Southbourne beach and Hengistbury Head, Dorset, shot at around 7:00 am today.

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/750 sec at f/5.6. +0.6 exposure compensation. ISO 200.

© 2008

Boscombe surf reef...

More evidence of the construction of the artificial surf reef at Boscombe, Dorset, was visible today. While the sand that will be pumped into the geotextile bags that give the reef its shape continues to be "harvested", a barge (image) pulls the pipelines, through which the sand will be pumped, into position. There was at least one diver on hand to ensure things went according to plan, whilst an RNLI lifeguard patrols the area on a jet ski.

The Isle of Wight "polar bear" is visible in the upper right third of the image, next to the world-famouse Needles rocks. This is an optical illusion of the cliffs of Scratchell's bay when viewed from this part of the south coast.

Today also saw the opening of the 29th Olympic games in Beijing. I'm not one for opening ceromonies, but do enjoy the games itself. I like the running, jumping and sand-pit events the most (kidding).

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/320 sec at f/5.6. ISO 200.

© 2008

Not in my back yard...

Another image of Boscombe seafront, documenting the construction and redevelopment of the area. Despite the noise and disruption of the beaches in the immediate vicinity of the pier, the building of the artificial surf reef is becoming something of a tourist attraction. However, this is not to everyone's approval, as some people that have recently taken up residence in the partly completed Boscombe Spa Village are complaining about the noise. What do they expect if they move onto a building site? These people are also responsible for the suspension of weekend work on the site for the same reason: noise. I look forward to seeing how they react to the influx of surfers and other toursists once everything is completed.

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/320 sec at f/8. +0.67 exposure compensation. ISO 200

© 2008

Six hours apart...

Two images that illustrate the difference between shooting at either end of the day, or around noon. The first image, shot at 6:00 am in the soft light of dawn, shows the more industrial side of the river Stour, with electricity pylons dominating the landscape, and the Muscliff sewage treatment works in the background. The second image, shot under mid-day sun, shows work continuing on the Boscombe artificial surf reef, with sand being moved around the beach in preparation for filling the geo-textile bags, once in place and submerged.


Pylons: Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 lens. 1/60 sec at f/6.3. 0.9 ND grad filter
Beach scene: Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/200 sec at f/8

© 2008

Boscombe surf reef underway...

Visible signs of the construction of the artificial surf reef at Boscombe, Dorset, are now apparent. The making of the geo-textile bags that will give the reef its shape is now underway at a "secret" location in Poole, while the image shows sand that will be used to fill the bags being stockpiled on the beach, just to the east of the pier, after having stones and other debris removed. I placed the word secret in inverted commas, as the location is supposed to be closly guarded, but it seems that everyone I spoke to on the seafront knows where the secret location is!

Nikkor 12-24 lens. 1/100 sec at f/11. ISO 200.
© 2008

The world-famous Throop cows...

Well, not exactly. Throop, on the Dorset Stour, is more renown for its coarse fishing than its bovine counterpart, but I needed a title...
The image was shot at 6:00am today, just as the mist was being burnt-off by the sun; the cows were the icing on the cake. Contre-jour shots like this always pose exposure problems, and I used 0.6 and 0.9 ND graduated filters together to hold back the tree and allow some detail to be retained in the foreground.

Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 lens. 1/350 sec at f/5.6. ISO 200. +0.67 exposure compensation.

© 2008

What to do next...

This time of year doesn't work for me, from a photographic point of view. After the onset of spring, and the photographing of all that comes with it, I find myself in anticipation of autumn and something more atmospheric. That's not to say that there is nothing to be had during the summer months, but you need to be up early, or stay out late to get light worth using. Today, I try for some inspiration by shooting with a long zoom lens; something I have become less accustomed to over the past few years. Although more flexible than the prime lenses that usually fill my bag, I was surprised at the reduced quality that this lens delivers compared to my normal optics. It's still an OK lump of glass, but can't compare to top-flight lenses in colour and contrast, and needed more work than usual in Photoshop to get acceptable results.
The image, shot at around 7:20 this morning from Southbourne cliffs, shows Boscombe Spa Village beneath its crane, and a cliff lift car in the foreground.

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX lens. 1/2000sec at f/4. ISO 400.

© 2008

Learning To Fly...

Although she has the right idea, this mandarin duckling's wings are not yet developed enough to get her airborne. Photographed at Eyeworth pond today, this is one of a family of six young that have survived thus far, unlike the other mandarin family I have taken an interest in (June 28th post) that have no surviving young at all.

Those not interested in the technical aspect of photography can skip this bit, but as of this post I'm going to include brief technical details to accompany each image.

Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 lens. 1/1500 sec at f/2.2. ISO 200.

© 2008

"Summer" weather...

Because of various distractions, I didn't get around to posting the latest image, yesterday: today will have to do.

The summer weather continues over the southern half of the UK (image) with high winds from the south west, and heavy rain. It was this weather front that arrived at the Silverstone track in time for the British Grand Prix, yesterday afternoon.

The photograph was taken mid-morning looking east, toward Hengistbury Head, Dorset.

© 2008

Surf's (finally) up...

The much awaited artificial surf reef at Boscombe, Dorset, is finally to be started at the end of this month, and be completed by the end of the year "at the latest", as stipulated in the Bournemouth council contract. The cost of the reef, said to be Europe's first, is currently £1.4 million.
There are a number of instruction schools set up, waiting to take advantage of the expected influx of surfers once the reef is ready. Once such school is shown here, breaking from theory to get some practical experience amongst the waves. The revamped beach chalets and restaurant (yet to be finished) and Boscombe Spa Village (ditto) are in the background.

© 2008

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