Through the Lens - THE LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

I thought it may be a nice idea to create one or two little posts showing some of the daily takes from when I am out and about.  The new gear is starting to show the desired results so here are some samples:

I found this delightful little Kestrel preening on a ledge, extremely high up on the rock face today.

She preened, and she basked in the sun for a while, with the breeze gently moving through her feathers.  Then as the wind picked up a little she seemed deep in thought for a while before........

concluding that the air was just right for her use!

And then she really posed for the camera!

More to follow later.

Through the Lens at the GREAT RHYNE GARDEN

As a busy & thriving allotment this land supported the practical and hobby needs for many families of the three estates on the South side of Weston super Mare.   During the late 1980's vandalism and other anti social acts made it increasingly difficult for all but the most dedicated to continue so the area gradually became derelict and overgrown. 

A recent venture from the local Allotments Association puts it back on the map as a place of interest not only for gardeners but also for conservationists and all those with an interest in the little creatures!  And it really can be fun!  So, at the request of one or two allotment holders, Simplido Photography took the camera along for a couple of visits to see what goes on:

On the first occasion I met Nigel who made one or two introductions, showed me where the barbecue was happening (evidently there can be food and beer at these places as well as work), and later showed me around.

Through the Cornflowers - these guys clearly know how to enjoy the work.

Interestingly, there seemed to be just as many flowers being grown for pleasure as fruit & veg for food.

In addition to the individual allotments there is a large area which is being cultivated as a community garden. And it is not all about pleasure; education, community interaction, and provision for the local Healthy Living Centre all play a part.  

Overall it is an initiative which has been assisted by established organisations and is now becoming established in its own right.

At my most recent visit Matt from Avon Wildlife Trust was on hand to help volunteers with the work of finishing the greenhouse.

This walls of this marvelous little greenhouse are built entirely from plastic bottles, cut and drilled to fit together, making such an ingenious work of recycling.

There are plenty of delightful little cornflowers being grown, providing not only colour to the garden but interest for bees, butterflies, and various other insects.  These were also used in the bouquet presented at the Mayors visit at the FACE Fun Day (see earlier post).

The native vegetation is supported around the edges and the rhyne itself is an asset, providing habitat for our natural creatures too.

Through the Lens - R.N.L.I. LIFEBOAT DAY

R.N.L.I. DAY, - Weston super Mare 28th July 2013  Ever wondered what goes into running the lifeboats that keep people safe at sea?  Loads and loads of investment is what it takes to save lives.  And hard work, commitment & dedication.  Volunteers giving up time on their day jobs, time with family, social & free time while we carry on with ours.

One of the lifeboats featured on the day.

On 28th July the crews manned the boats, arrived at the beach at Anchor Head, and spent time giving supporters and interested public an insight to their work and dedication.

  

Getting up close with the public.

The structure in the background is the now ruined Birnbeck Island and Royal Pier.  The project is now underway to raise funds for a new & improved station for this very much needed service.  

Throughout the day spectators were treated to exhibitions of the versatility and speed of these incredible craft.

It was a beautiful sunny July day (if a little windy) but a sense of solemn irony was added when the attendance of the Air/Sea Helicopter planned as part of the day was cancelled; the helicopter was called to a real-time emergency for people stranded on the rocks near Swansea, followed by a further incident immediately after!  If anyone was in any doubt of the ever present need for the service this was a very timely reminder.

The ruins of the island that houses the Lifeboat Facility clearly seen behind the lifeboat leave no doubt of the need for an improved home!  The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal flow rate in the world and a few minutes reading the call log for the Weston super Mare Lifeboat will show how incredibly busy the service is.  Nevertheless for many years the crews have battled on, making safety at sea their priority, while councils and other interested parties argue over practicality of rebuild, viability of other commercial & non commercial ventures for the island and access bridge, putting the safety of these same crews in question before they even reach their boats!  

These & other pictures from the day are at http://www.simplidophotography.com/gallery.html  Please respect copyright and request permission for use of the photos through the website, this blog, or by email via simplidophotography@gmail.com  

In July 2013 the launch of a £300,000 appeal was announced by RNLI for the intended upgrade to facilities at Weston super Mare, alongside a further appeal for the Portishead service.  Proceeds from any sale of these photographs go to that appeal.

Through the Lens at the FACE (For All Community Event) FUN DAY

The summer For All Community Event (FACE) fun day in July was exactly that!  A day full of fun for all within the community who wanted to engage and Simplido Photography accepted the invitation and took up the challenge of making good photos from a variety of opportunities.

So we started looking through the lens early in the day, catching those people who were up ladders working hard to set up..................

.....................and those who were not up ladders, working hard to, well, not work too hard at all!

Throughout the day there were plenty of opportunities for fun, with Free Runners putting on a good display ...................

and, for the more adventurous, even involving others in workshops.  So while the community had fun we took the chance to secure some alternative portraiture.

Refreshments were on hand all day long!

Some people devoted themselves to providing the things that made the day a little sweeter.......................

..................................................While some were sat on the side lines......................

...............................................and others involved themselves to the full!

So a good day all round, and now we await the next events!

The brand new blog: watch this space for news and examples of what is seen through the lens of Simplido Photography over the coming days!