Snettisham Wader Spectacular

The predicted high tide arrived an hour early this morning due to strong onshore wind so the Knot (top image) followed by the Black-tailed Godwits soon filled the shingle island in the gravel pits at Snettisham. I tried some slower shutterspeeds (1/50th) . The waders stayed at the roost for a full three hours after high tide but eventually lifted and were off.

Southern Hawker

 This Southern Hawker was laying eggs in the moss around Colen and Julia' pond in Toft. Not great shots as taken with the G12 and flash but wanted to put it in the blog to record the late date.

G12 Miscellany

 I usually have my Canon G12 in my bag but don't unload the images that often so I end up with a miscellany of pictures. These four show what the G12 is very good at - landscapes/townscapes in good lighting. Top two are Southend skies.

Sunset at Olympic Park

A few images as the sun set on my day at the Paralympics. I wonder what the site will look like in a few months time. It will certainly be interesting to visit from time to time to see if the facilities are made available to local residents.

Hyde Hall RHS Gardens

Prestine second generation Comma and Red Admiral Butterflies on Michaelmas daisies and Heliotrope.

 Shield Bug hanging on to grass and a rather scruffy Robin well camouflaged on a gravel path.

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.