The Mystical Fence Post of Avalon

The Hawk and Owl Trust have opened a new nature reserve at Shapwick recently. We visited over the Easter break and I made this image of a fence post in one of the pools. The whole place has views of Glastonbury Tor, hence the title of the, er, post.

People Are Strange

The two old ladies who appeared in an image that I posted recently cut across a line of thinking that I'd had in mind for a while. This is that I should spend more time photographing people. Not that I don't, but those people tend to be family and the images happy snaps.

Anyway, over the Easter break we visited Secret World.This is a place that we've frequented over the past few years as its close by, our son enjoys it and its a fairly gentle day out. On the other hand, its never been a happy hunting ground photographically.

So, on this trip, it occurred to me to turn my camera on the crowd - and the place was crowded, as the weather was very fine. This image was made whilst a selection of 'baby' animals were being paraded for the visitors. I'd managed to position myself on the side of the lawn facing into the sun, so the shooting conditions weren't ideal, but I persevered and made a couple of decent images.

On the other hand I'm not sure how I feel about the whole spectacle of these animals being shown off in this fashion. I know its intended to encourage people to support the work of the centre, but the animals are obviously none to happy about being around so many people or being woken during the day. This young badger was probably the most content of the lot but was still a bit phased and generally looking to its keeper for comfort. 

I think that this image portrays this narrative - and narrative seems to be very in these days. The keeper appears to be shielding the animal from the crowd, who are anonymised by the depth of field, but are oblivious in the sun, whilst the main subject is in shadow.    

A Shadow of its Former Self

Another image from Hestercombe, taken on the Victorian Terrace.

Two Old Ladies

The Easter break and a visit to Hestercombe House in Somerset.This is an image made from the Victorian Terrace. Bonus points to anyone who can spot the two elderly women referenced in the title - I really thought that I'd managed to avoid the inclusion of any of the other visitors, but it wasn't to be. Considering the weather and the number of vehicles in the car park, the place seemed strangely deserted.

Wandering about the formal garden, I found myself reflecting that there must have been a certain frisson in the realisation that you owned this beautiful place. I also reflected that my ancestors would have been amongst the under-gardeners or whatever, so far below stairs as to be completely subterranean, rather than landed gentry.

At home, sat in the middle of the study floor is my grandfather's chest, the one into which he packed all of his possessions when he went into service himself. Now, I get to use it as a coffee table, which makes me feel slightly uneasy and is probably symbolic of something or other. 

Sun, Sky, Shapwick

Another image from the visit to Shapwick.

Meeting at Shapwick Heath

Back in February I found myself paying another visit to Shapwick Heath NNR with my son. I also, by complete coincidence, encountered Ian Dart and his partner Kate. In amongst all this socialising, I made a few images. This is one of them - obviously - and there are a couple more that I may post over the next week or so.

Incidentally, Mr Dart has also identified the blue flower as a grape hyacinth, so he wins the promised prestigious mention in this blog.  

The Western Front

An image of the West Front of Wells Cathedral. And I know that the sky looks fake - because it is, of course, but I'm rather proud of the masking. 

This is the last of this set that I'll post - back to Shapwick next time.

Apostolic

This is an image of a statue of an Apostle - I can't remember which - one of four which stand outside the North Porch of Wells Cathedral.

Cathedral Grey

I'm learning to swim. 

No, really.

Every Friday afternoon for the past few months, I've been making my way from work to Wells Leisure Centre, where a very patient and encouraging instructor has been moving me forwards in baby steps to the point were I can propel myself through the water, after a fashion.

One consequence is that I often have a few minutes to kill in or around Wells before my lesson, and a couple of weeks ago I decided to use this time for photography.The Cathedral presented itself as an obvious subject, and I made a couple of decent images - this one is of the interior of the North Porch. I'm sure these architectural features have a name and are very fine examples of the type, however I just liked the way the light fell.