Marsworth Visit with Andy Fox

Andy and I decided to meet up and visit Marsworth together, and despite mornings being more favourable, since he was tied up in the morning, we settled on meeting at Clophill around one o’clock to head on down.

Arriving at Tringford I parked up and we both set off towards Marsworth lake. There were numerous anglers out on both Startops End and Marsworth, and on the Grand Union Canal there were a few narrowboats going through the locks, one that was moored was unlike any other, so much so that Andy remarked that it was upside down as the superstructure seemed to be very smooth and resembled an upturned hull, made presumably in glass fibre.

We reached our destination and began setting up, and almost immediately Andy spotted a visiting kingfisher behind me, which we probably surprised and headed away from us. It was the last sighting we made for more than an hour, though we were visited by many other birds both on the water, and above us in the trees. The most frequent being blue tits, mallards, and wood pigeons. At one stage we heard a loud call, that sounded as if the caller was shouting “Nits!” which gave us a wry smile on several occasions, it turned out to be coming from what I took to be a lone mallard female, but Andy reckoned it was possibly a mallard/wigeon cross as it was speckled and differently billed.

We were also visited by the resident and beautifully groomed robin, whom I see fairly regularly, once again, in the lulls I attempted to entice to fly to my open hand for seeds, but today he made no effort. A while later we caught sight of a kingfisher doing a flyby who ducked beyond a fallen bush on the far bank. Then later still one landed in the bushes, but he was hidden from me by sunlit leaves, but in perfectly clear view to Andy as was confirmed by some three sequences of shutter firings. After that I saw another on a post beyond him, managing just two quick shots, one static and one as he flew off. Although we stayed on for some time we saw no more kingfishers, and since Andy was due for an evening out, we packed up and returned to the car, but not before I introduced Andy to some of the Tringford Anglers, and its Water Bailliff, Bob Menzies.

My visit was therefore less fruitful than my guest Andy, though enjoyable nonetheless.

Brogborough a Warmer Day on the Lake

Warmer in the sun, but the biting wind soon drove it away, before dying down and causing the windsurfers to come in for a break. I had taken the opportunity before heading for the lake to take advantage of the wind to take to the lawn by the side of the house and cut the grass further back than I had managed earlier in the week when it had been the highest since the end of last year.

When I arrived at the club car park, I took stock of the wind direction and having put the camera together headed back out of the entrance and into the field beyond the brook and found a spot where I would be able to take shots with the sun on my subjects as they came towards me to gybe – it was at a point where I could set the tripod a bit lower down the bank and stand with some support from the bank behind me. Although there were times that I had the lighting helpful where they actually turned I was often looking straight into the sun, which did put the sailors in silhouette!

I did lose some time because unbeknown to me my spirit level had come adrift from the levelling head and dropped into the long grass at some time in the journey from the car park, so after setting up the tripod safely, I then retraced my steps to search it out, from where I last knew it was still attached. I then made my way back to the camera looking to right and left and finally just fifteen yards from where the camera was I finally found it and re-attached  it to begin shooting. I was very relieved, but knew I had to find a way to ensure this never happened again.

Once again I tried to take sequences of the gybes, and was also lucky to capture a few jumps from some of the number, and I have separated one sequence performed by one of the younger members of what I described as ‘bunny hops’ – I believe performed specially for my benefit, I have created a separate gallery of that sequence, so once again there are two galleries from this blog entry.

Click Here for the smaller, Secondary Gallery

Since I had been lulled into setting out in the warmth of some sun, when that disappeared and the windsurfers with it, I headed back to the car park, and packed up as I only had the early afternoon to shoot as I had fellow photographer Adam Woolfitt coming over as we were both going to the NEC, Birmingham for The Photography Show early on the Monday with yet another photographer, Andy Fox. The galleries and the write-up are therefore somewhat delayed. The trip to the show was very worthwhile for all three of us, in particular for me as I discussed the spirit level issue with the designer of the product!

Ampthill Christmas Lights – Switch On

Andy Fox came around to drop off the last of a series of mounted prints that now adorn the walls of my new home, and casually mentioned that he and his wife, Debbie were going to the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Ampthill that evening, and this struck me as a good way to spend the late afternoon and early evening as it was generally well-attended and a good show.

Since my arrival was not likely to be all that early I decided not to chance going too far into Ampthill to park, but I do need all the exercise I can get, so I parked just off the A507, giving myself a fair trek to reach the town centre; I soon found I had been overly cautious, as it soon became apparent I could have parked far closer, but I was not going to waste time and petrol to make the change. It also gave me a chance to add to my stock of images of autumn and textures.

The central roundabout had the access to the High Street barricaded off to make it a pedestrian thoroughfare and the Sainsburys car park had become a funfair with stalls, rides and charity tents and was filling with people when I arrived, and though the afternoon was cold, it was still bright and families were along full of the festive spirit. The decorations were mainly confined to shop windows, and the lighting scheduled to be lit were not extravagant, but that mattered not a jot – the atmosphere engendered by the throngs of people was all that mattered and the street was a happy place with chattering children and shiny balloons depicting Minions, Mickey Mouse, Super heroes and Ponies, and it was not long before one was lost to the sky, but I did not hear the sounds of crying for its loss, just a few adults remarking that it was on its way to the stars!

There was dancing and music playing in the run-up to the count down and dusk began encroaching very gradually with the crowd density increasing in direct proportion to the darkening of the sky. As I recorded the scene unfolding I spared a thought for such gatherings on the continent realising just how fragile was this peaceful scene I was witnessing, and I wondered how many of those present sensed those same sentiments – if they did, it certainly did not show or dampen their spirits, for which I was grateful. It is however worth at least understanding how tenuous this grip on everyday normality really is at this time, whilst not becoming despondent and fearful.

I enjoyed the event very much and was really grateful to Andy who brought the event to my notice, I hope I have captured the essence of the evening in the gallery of images.

Goodwood 2015 – Revival Meeting

Having already enjoyed a splendid day at Goodwood Revival on the Friday, I assumed that I could not be so lucky weatherwise on my second visit of the weekend, but I had not counted on the excellent contacts Lord March must have up above, for despite some suggestions that we would not be so lucky on the second day we had yet another day of fine weather.

The journey south was freer of cars on the motorways as it was no longer a weekday, so it was both leisurely and speedy and both Andy and I were able to get our cameras sorted quickly in the Old Control Tower, so that we saw and listened to the band playing on the Startline for the Track Blessing. Followed by the Gassers Demonstration performed by a varied assortment of  American themed cars burning rubber and being assisted by a Red Indian offering a Goodwill Dance for each entrant and the equally frenetic Startline Marshal flagging each one off!

As that display came to an end I took Andy through the tunnel beneath the track and entered the Pits area and later the area close to the Chicane. Despite not seeing Simon Diffey’s name in the programme, I did spot the car I had seen him drive in previous years a Type 51 Bugatti and recognised his gold crash helmet, so I was able to follow his race, and later see mechanics working on the car in the Paddock.

There is far too much to cover in a single day at Goodwood, so I outlined for Andy a few of the regular attractions and I did form the impression that he was enjoying himself and he felt that the effort of acquiring the outfit and its accoutrements had been worthwhile. Like me he was impressed by how friendly everyone was and how many would engage themselves in conversations with total strangers.

Knowing Andy’s interest in aircraft we also headed towards the airstrip and spent some time wandering amongst the static ones as well as those in the sky. Whilst in the Old Control Tower we met the New Zealand High Commissioner’s wife and I made sure I took some shots of the pair of them as they later drove around the circuit as part of the Bruce Mclaren Tribute. Lord March led the tribute by reading of Bruce’s career moments and achievements from the Starters Steps erected centre track and it was good to see Jackie Stewart amongst those in the forefront of all the drivers coming to show their respect. It is truly amazing that Bruce is one of the few men that have been winners of races in a car he designed and built; that he drove and won so many championships, yet died at the age of only thirty-two and, whilst testing at this very circuit in 1970.

I got a call on my mobile in the afternoon from a friend who had bought his wife along to the event for the first time, and we arranged to try to meet up, and were successful. It was good to meet Alasdair after a gap of a few years as he was one of those who helped me understand the intricacies of computer networking, such that I could write that chapter in my book ‘Mac OSX for Photographers’ back in 2008.

I have been lucky to meet numerous really interesting people at Goodwood over the years and this weekend was no exception as I met an Opera Singer who was a friend of a Russian lady who had organised an exhibition of Lord March’s photographs in Moscow. Also because the noise levels are often very high conversations are more often one to one, so Andy was speaking to a different set of people to me. Sometime I must catch up with his discussions!

Once again I am really grateful for the opportunities offered by my being a guest of Lord March at this event.

Woburn Park – DH Moth Airshow

A friend of mine, Andy Fox told me that over the weekend he would be manning a stand at the Airshow to sell some of his photos, and I decided I would make the time to visit the park to see what it was all about. Since I had a long walk from the Free Car Park, I made the decision to eave the tripod in the car – this lack of foresight lost me valuable shooting time as I then had to make that journey twice in order to make good my mistake! I soon learned that trying to use the 100-600mm lens handheld for shooting aircraft in flight was really not satisfactory; after all why go to all the trouble of buying a carbon fibre tripod and leave it in the boot of your car (and make the same trek twice!)

On the first trip to the field I had the camera in a case that had both a spare battery and spare card, on my return to the car I dispensed with the case in order to offset some of the extra weight of the gimbal head and tripod, forgetting that by so doing I was leaving my safety net behind which consideration dawned upon my feeble brain only as I left the car park for the second time! I had been watching some aircraft both arriving and others doing circuits, but on my return flying was over till 2pm, so my mistake cost me dear! Speaking of deer – the airfield is normally their domain and several of their number felt they should protest by nonchalantly heading across the arrogant human’s airstrip several times during the afternoon.

I was fortunate that on both the occasions I was at the protective boundary in the company of keen aircraft buffs who knew the aircraft types and some of their history. I found that even without aerial activity there were subjects of interest from the public, the main road and the deer and of course there was time to chat to a couple of other photographers.

 I have since learned from Andy he had a very successful time in the marquee selling some of his photos and recruiting potential visitors for his wildlife days at Clophill – the highlight of his weekend was meeting a ninety-three year-old ex-pilot who proudly spotted one of Andy’s pictures of a Sea Hurricane and told him that he had actually piloted that specific plane! Andy managed to get the back of the framed picture signed by the pilot and have his photo taken with him and the picture. Andy promptly popped a ‘Not for Sale’ Sticker to that one and it is now in pride of place in his own Sitting room!

Although the show was originally dedicated to De Havilland Moth aircraft it has over the years been extended to embrace other aircraft models, and although it has had some lapses, it seemed well attended and was blessed with a good amount of sunshine and attentive attendees, I certainly enjoyed my Sunday and will likely return next year, and I will be back to the park itself for the deer in a month’s time or so.

Clophill – Old St. Mary’s Church – Fundraising Photographic Day

Morning Session Gallery

Afternoon Session Gallery

Andy Fox, whom I met a few years back whilst out with my camera close by a lake where he was an angler has been heavily involved in voluntary work to conserve the old church and now the fund-raising to add eco lodges to the venue to preserve the work done at the church. The Old St. Mary’s Church lies approximately at the midpoint of the Greensand Ridge Trail and is itself composed of this local sandstone.

Andy it was who asked whether I would like to make my contribution to his pet project by joining a group of hopefully at least six photographers and join a Day photographing a series of raptors that he would be providing as subjects. This was an opportunity not to be missed and I sincerely hoped he would get the required number for the venture to go ahead. I had thoroughly enjoyed a similar day at Old Warden, so it was not a difficult decision; ahead of the day, I was hoping England’s notoriously fickle weather would be kind to us, and although I set off in rain, it had all but stopped by my arrival at Clophill.

I met up with other participants, both at Andy’s house and later at the eco lodges where we assembled ourselves and our assorted camera gear; as one of only two Canon users I was joshed for my choice, but it was all lighthearted banter that I might have meted out were the boot on the other foot – there was certainly no malice, simply a typical way of breaking the ice amongst a small group. After a short talk about the aims of the Trust for the church and the eco lodges site, Andy explained the plans for the day; it was to be static birds in the morning session and hopefully the birds in flight at some time in the afternoon, with a break for refreshments before the afternoon session.

We were introduced to Emily who was looking after and providing our models for the day before setting off for the ruins of the church where, amidst the first signs of Spring; small clumps of snowdrops amongst last season’s autumn leaves, we were to find backdrops for the subjects of our images. I chose to use the 5D MkIII and the Canon 100-400mm for the morning and in the afternoon I used the 7D MkII and Tamron 150-600mm.

Due to earlier commitments I already knew it would be some time before I would be able to do any of the post processing of the files and so it will be nearly a week before these are up in a gallery on my blog. I hope that despite the number of images there is sufficient variety to enjoy the experience of looking at what I shot.

The birds featured are  a tawny owl, a barn owl, an eagle owl and a kestrel.

Houghton Circular Walk

Houghton House is an attractive wreck of a building just outside Ampthill, in Bedfordshire with spectacular views across towards Stewartby with its four remaining chimneys from its days as a brickworks, that have been awarded listed status, retained I gather from my colleague Andy Fox as an aerial landmark, though searching the internet, I can find no corroboration of this.

The idea of a circular walk from this house was proposed by Andy, so we met at his place and drove to the house and parked up. I decided that whilst walking the 70-200mm zoom was a better bet than the 300mm, but how wrong could I be? Once we had walked to the house,we spotted three large birds (which turned out to be red kite) soaring in the warm air not too distant from us, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight I should have gone back for the longer zoom, but it seemed too far back and I thought the birds might have disappeared in the meantime. Shame, because they performed in front of us for more than half-an hour! My shots were worthless. Andy who had a 300mm took some very nice shots. He has Nikon gear, I have Canon, so a swap was not on the cards.

Whilst we were there, a posse of photographers with a bride and groom arrived to use the derelict house as a backdrop, to my mind a somewhat bizarre linking, but each to their own.

We set off up the tree-lined avenue, past the farm, and water tank, close by another farm, and I learned more about this area that Andy had travelled since his childhood, he mentioned he had come across rusting cars in earlier days, and soon spotted the final remains of at least one by a young tree, we joked about shooting what we found in different seasons with puns such ‘Spring in Summer’, and later we found a saw; Andy saw it first!

At either end of Holly walk are Lodge-style cottages, both of which had once been thatched, but the first is now tiled which makes the chimneys seem far higher. Altogether a great way to spend Saturday afternoon, thanks Andy.

An Afternoon Walk around Clophill

It is not every day that you get invited to tour around an area with such a knowledgeable guide as I had this afternoon, in Andy Fox. Andy knew the names of the birds we came across, the history of the places we visited and the types of aircraft that flew over. He is both a keen fisherman and a skilled photographer, and we had a great day with interesting conversation and a good deal of exercise,  punctuated by a fair amount of laughter.

The weather surprised us both because when I arrived, it was dull and overcast, with a warm wind blowing, but as it turned out this gave us great lighting, often fleeting, which sometimes meant one or both of us darting up or down hill to be in the the right position for a particular shot, which despite the vast open space often meant we crashed into each other. We met only one other person at Cainhoe Castle, and a family group at old St. Mary’s Church, during our three hours in the country.