Stormy Seas at Southend

I arrived in Southend on Tuesday just after lunch to get a bit of a walk before an evening lecture to Hadleigh Camera club (thanks for the usual warm welcome). It was high tide with intermittent rain and a gale force wind. After observing a few hardy souls biking and dog walking I got out of the car and braved the elements. Most of the shops and cafes were closed but some were open and a welcome relief from the wind and rain.

By 3 o'clock the rain had stopped and the sky cleared to show a glimpse of the moon as the lights came on.

Epping Forest in the Rain

Hoping that the weather forecast was wrong, a group from CCC set off for Epping Forest this morning and managed a few hours photography in the rain before it turned too heavy. Fortunately then time for a pub lunch!! I liked the way the trees appeared to be crying dark tears. Toadstools and umbrellas always favourite subjects.

Cambridge Botanical Gardens

A short visit to the Gardens yesterday in beautiful warm sunshine. I was testing out Phil's 55-200mm lens on my Fuji and pretty pleased with the sharpness results. I like the new glasshouse dedicated to Tropical Wetlands - the first time I have seen the Lotus plant other than on ARPS Visual Arts panels from the Hong Kong.

Norwich in the Sunshine

More like June than November for a trip to Norwich with Barry. A few from my Bus Stops and Underpass projects along with some other people enjoying the city. It was Armistice day so, as a life-long Pacifist, my thoughts are with the futility of war and the waste of human life it entails on all sides.

Cambridge Firework Display

I decided on a wide view of the very colourful display on Midsummer Common last night to also include the crowd. The settings were between 2.5 and 5 secs, f22, iso400 except for the last one after the fireworks (3.2 secs, f10  iso1000). The breeze resulted in some attractive plumes and the cloud cover meant the light reflected back to illuminate the whole scene pretty well. Liked all the mobile phones glowing in the crowd!