Southend contrasts

 This derelict office block is called Esplanade House and is located on the seafront on Eastern Esplanade, Southend. It is the former offices to the old gas works (stock photo left of the complete offices) and has been empty for over five years. Part of the building has been demolished and the site cleared for the construction of a large luxury hotel but work has not yet commenced and the building and surrounding area remain an eye-sore.

New water feature on Esplanade photographed at 1/50th second and 1/2000th second

Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world,  1.33 miles in length. The beach huts at Thorpe are meticulously maintained.

Southend Mud and Skies

 After seeing Colin Westgate's beautiful prints of the skies from his home on West Mersea overlooking the Thames Estuary, I thought I'd concentrate on monochrome for these views from Southend taken this afternoon before going to Hadleigh to lecture.

Javelin Throwers at Paralympics

 Javelin throwers from classes F40 and F42.

Track Events at Paralympics

F40 athletes at end of 100m. The total visual impairment class run with Guides. The visually impaired runners running in the 800 metres.

Freestyle Jet Skiing

Some action from two professional freestyle jetskiers today in Milton Keynes. I got completely drenched when the spout in the final photo turneddirectly at me.
 More from the racing later.

Paralympics

 Just to show that Sue and I went to the Paralympics yesterday. More pictures to follow. We were seated right under to Olympic flame among the various coaches - hence the 'extra leg'

The Rescue of an Emperor

We saw this Emperor male in the water and thought it was dead but then saw a bit of movement and so fished it out. It rewarded us with great portrait opportunities of a superb dragonfly.

Drama in the Dragonfly Pools

A clear sunny day so I visited the Burwash pools to try and find the Red-eyed Damselflies which is a new species at the pools for me. There were several males, one eating a Mayfly and also a coupled pair .

There were lots of pairs of Common Blue Damselflies but also a lot of extra males who kept trying to get in on the act. This female was being fought over by several males - eventually one got hold of her with his tail and dragged her to safety.

The Right Conditions for Dragonfly Photography

 Today was bright and sunny so a third attempt at Burwash pools. This time - just right as enough wind to cause the dragonflies to 'hover' into the breeze but lots of light so I could use the 300mm plus 1.4 extender. There were lots of Common Darter pairs and also Emperor and Brown Hawker females egg laying. The Emperor males were busy patrolling the pools while a very elegant Emerald Damselfly perched long enough to be snapped.

Different weather - different result

I went back to Burwash dragonfly pools today with the 300mm lens but it was mainly overcast, cool and windy so only one Hawker active over the water. I am pleased with the shot. This was taken at a 1/2000th - same shutterspeed as yesterday's Emperor but the wingbeat of the Migrant Hawker is obviously much faster.