Clover Hill leading (gently) towards the Hilltop Garden and Cafe.

RHS Hyde Hall, Essex UK

And here we will leave Hyde Hall for a wee while. We're due to visit again in July for the classic car show!

Anxious parents warn their children not to stray upon the Fobbing Marshes, telling tales of a small, black and hairy canine-like creature that appears and disappears in the blink of an eye. “It’s from the spirit world!” they say…

Regular followers of mine will reach a more logical, earthly conclusion. As for me I’m saying nowt. “Come Fred, let’s get out of here before they send in the helicopters…!”

Fobbing Marsh in the early morning mist, Essex UK

Note: for the uninitiated ⬇️

www.flickr.com/photos/bigharv/51838067224/in/dateposted/

F. Polo G.

Strao Noordwelle, 28 february 2015

more strao and horse photos in my Picasa Album

Wat is straô?

Straô is een jaarlijks terugkerend evenement op een aantal zaterdagen in het voorjaar, waarbij de voeten van de paarden in de zee worden 'gewassen'. De dorpen aan de westkant van Schouwen-Duiveland hebben allemaal hun eigen straô-viering.

Straô-rieen is een historisch feest en gaat ver terug in de tijd. In vroegere tijden stonden de werkpaarden de gehele winter op stal. Zodra de winter tegen het einde liep, ging men met de paarden de zee in om de voeten te wassen. Hoewel de werkpaarden van vandaag nog uitsluitend als hobby worden gehouden en zeker niet meer een hele winter op stal staan, wordt de gewoonte nog steeds in stand gehouden.

what is Straô

Straô is an annual event on a number of Saturdays in the spring, where the feet of the horses in the sea 'washed'. The villages on the west side of Schouwen-Duiveland have their own straô celebration.

Straô is a historic celebration and goes far back in time. In ancient times were the workhorses throughout the winter in the barn. Once the winter by the end went, they went with the horses to the sea in order to wash there feet. Although the workhorses of today be held solely as a hobby and certainly not a whole winter on stable, the habit still maintained.

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Ipernity | 500px | Facebook |

Well, that's the fire sorted, maybe we can catch something to cook now?

The abundance of hares, rabbits and pheasants isn't entirely lost on Freddie, but so far his scorecard remains at zero. Maybe I'd better bring a tin of food in future...

A morning hike across the Fobbing Marshes, Essex UK

From our garden feeding station. Meanwhile I'm positioned behind a trellis. Not that I particularly needed to do that. They're commonly to be found on the patio helping themselves to Freddie's water bowl. But hey, it's spring and I've actually got the sun on my back!

Corringham, Essex UK

© All rights reserved. Thank you.

A healing light?

This angel in the afternoon sun cast a spell on me…

But was someone looking over my shoulder?

My First Shoot this Year at Coney Island beach NYC.

these two love bird were on the rocks doing selfies....

Wat is straô?

Straô is een jaarlijks terugkerend evenement op een aantal zaterdagen in het voorjaar, waarbij de voeten van de paarden in de zee worden 'gewassen'. De dorpen aan de westkant van Schouwen-Duiveland hebben allemaal hun eigen straô-viering.

Straô-rieen is een historisch feest en gaat ver terug in de tijd. In vroegere tijden stonden de werkpaarden de gehele winter op stal. Zodra de winter tegen het einde liep, ging men met de paarden de zee in om de voeten te wassen. Hoewel de werkpaarden van vandaag nog uitsluitend als hobby worden gehouden en zeker niet meer een hele winter op stal staan, wordt de gewoonte nog steeds in stand gehouden.

what is Straô

Straô is an annual event on a number of Saturdays in the spring, where the feet of the horses in the sea 'washed'. The villages on the west side of Schouwen-Duiveland have their own straô celebration.

Straô is a historic celebration and goes far back in time. In ancient times were the workhorses throughout the winter in the barn. Once the winter by the end went, they went with the horses to the sea in order to wash there feet. Although the workhorses of today be held solely as a hobby and certainly not a whole winter on stable, the habit still maintained.

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Don't use this image without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

Was it worth it to do a 10hr round trip in a car just to spend one full day here? Yes; I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Where the Benfleet Creek meets the Hadleigh Ray, thereafter onwards to the River Thames and out to the North Sea.

The album ⬇️

www.flickr.com/photos/bigharv/albums/72177720296615101

A long overdue walk up to the Fobbing Flood Barrier where the Vange and Holehaven Creeks meet. Opened in 1981, frequently tested but (so far) not used for real. I like how the barrier structure frames the old Coryton refinery site in the background!

I’ve been here before.

********************************

Fobbing Marsh, Essex, England

This image directly relates to a much earlier one of mine, symbolic of the English Peasant’s Revolt of 1381. This is one of a set of cherry wood sculptures at the Wat Tyler Country Park, Essex UK. This particular figure stands 11 feet high and is among a group of 7 figures in total, bound and captive standing behind his leader. ⬇️

www.flickr.com/photos/bigharv/50664703651/in/album-721577...

Artist: Robert Koenig, 2006

Explore December, 31 - 2013

My flickr photostream looks better on Fluidr

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

2021年跨年煙火秀「讓愛擁抱世界，讓希望點亮未來」，台灣同

心協力，為疫情而加油!!

4K影片：https://youtu.be/j4B3DGUmtZI

Maserati 250F 1957

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

Containerships VII - Container Ship

Flag: Finland (FI)

AIS Type: Cargo

Year Built: 2002

IMO: 9250098

MMSI: 230948000

Call Sign: OJKI

Gross Tonnage: 10499

Deadweight: 13965 t

Length × Breadth: 158.76m × 22m

More Vessel Details on: MarineTraffic

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Vessel's Details APL Salalah

Cosco Glory

Ship Type: Container ship

Year Built: 2011

Length x Breadth: 366 m X 48 m

Gross Tonnage: 141,823 tons, DeadWeight: 140,637 tons

Flag: Hongkong (China)

Call Sign: VRIR7

IMO: 9466245, MMSI: 477795300

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

More ship photos on MarineTraffic | ShipSpotting

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

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Beach find, Canvey Island, Essex UK. This could be centuries old, or perhaps just a few years. The sea can be unforgiving and keeps its secrets well…

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

MSC SPLENDIDA

AIS Type: Passenger

Flag: Panama (PA)

Year Built: 2009

IMO: 9359806 - MMSI: 357698000 - Call Sign: 3FZI8

Gross Tonnage: 137936

Deadweight: 13413 t

Length × Breadth: 333.33m × 37.92m

More Vessel Details on: MarineTraffic

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More ships photos on MarineTraffic | ShipSpotting

The sunset in Dunedin, Florida is spectacular, yet not spectacular enough to distract this little guy from finding himself a meal.

© 2017 by @Wil Wardle

www.wilwardlephotography.co.uk

Do not use this or any of my images without my permission.

Please also find me on:

www.instagram.com/wilwardle/

www.facebook.com/pages/Wil-Wardle-Photography/13877641613...

www.flickr.com/photos/psionicwill

odt - grace as in graceful landing

I haven't seen many photos from this location, and it took more than a few hours of research to get this angle. Yesterday I went in the morning and I got kicked out by security, so I went back today at sunset with no problems. Boston skyline buffs probably recognize this view, but from my research it is somewhat rare. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L.

You never know what you'll find...

Canvey Island, Essex UK

backyard flowers

I still remember about 7 years ago I was ankle deep in the river when I turned around a juvenile northern water snake was standing straight up out of the water like a king cobra looking at me. I wish I had a shot of that! I do find the juveniles to be more curious of me while the adults ignore me.

Strao Scharendijke March 8, 2014

What is Straô more info at a previos upload

More photos from Strao Scharendijke on Picasa

My flickr photostream looks better on Fluidr

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

Piombino (La Rocchetta) Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 5 m (17 ft) square castellated stone tower with gallery and a small white post light at the top. The tower is unpainted gray stone.

My flickr photostream looks better on Fluidr

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

Crude oil tanker “Hafnia Despina” moored at Oikos terminal 08:13am 16th August, 2022 having sailed from Le Havre, France.

(Information from Vesselfinder.com)

Here's lookin' at you.

Wat is straô?

Straô is een jaarlijks terugkerend evenement op een aantal zaterdagen in het voorjaar, waarbij de voeten van de paarden in de zee worden 'gewassen'. De dorpen aan de westkant van Schouwen-Duiveland hebben allemaal hun eigen straô-viering.

Straô-rieen is een historisch feest en gaat ver terug in de tijd. In vroegere tijden stonden de werkpaarden de gehele winter op stal. Zodra de winter tegen het einde liep, ging men met de paarden de zee in om de voeten te wassen. Hoewel de werkpaarden van vandaag nog uitsluitend als hobby worden gehouden en zeker niet meer een hele winter op stal staan, wordt de gewoonte nog steeds in stand gehouden.

what is Straô

Straô is an annual event on a number of Saturdays in the spring, where the feet of the horses in the sea 'washed'. The villages on the west side of Schouwen-Duiveland have their own straô celebration.

Straô is a historic celebration and goes far back in time. In ancient times were the workhorses throughout the winter in the barn. Once the winter by the end went, they went with the horses to the sea in order to wash there feet. Although the workhorses of today be held solely as a hobby and certainly not a whole winter on stable, the habit still maintained.

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Don't use this image without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Twitter | Facebook | 500px | Panoramio

View from Gravel Hill (aka Old Church Hill) looking west towards Bulphan and the Ockendons.

Langdon Hills, Essex UK

SOOC exposure, 16:9 crop

Is this a metaphor for modern politics?

***********************************************

A general election is announced in the UK.

The River Thames shot from Canvey Island, Essex.

(2nd edit 24/5/2024)

I'm posting this pic not so much for the photo, but for the story behind the photo...

Last Fall I was driving down the road on the way to the river. Up ahead I saw roadkill and a big bird eating the roadkill. At first I thought it was a vulture, as what other large bird would be eating roadkill? But it didn't take me long to see that big white head and realize my initial assessment of the scene was wrong, and it was an eagle and not a vulture on the side of the road. Going 60mph I didn't think fast enough to stop and pull over before I got the eagle. As I drove past the scene, the eagle predictably flew away. Now that I had enough time to think and determine if it was safe to pullover, I did pullover. I first waited to see if the bird would return to the roadkill, but as traffic picked up, I knew that was unlikely. So I got out and started walking the side of the road thinking the eagle flew in a tree to observe his interrupted meal. I was right.

I've always heard eagles will eat anything. That day I saw an example of just that.

© 2017 by Wil Wardle Photography

www.wilwardlephotography.co.uk

Do not use this or any of my images without my permission.

Please also find me Me on Facebook & Instagram:

www.instagram.com/wilwardle/

www.facebook.com/pages/Wil-Wardle-Photography/13877641613...

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Facebook

Sunlight bubbles, a gentle breeze and daydreams. An early morning walk in an English meadow. In the near distance I can hear boats setting out on the river. Here I could lie down amongst the flowers all day and watch the sun passing over me. Work can wait...

*************************************

Believe this - This photo is SooC in every way that matters. I haven’t pulled a nifty “selective monochrome” trick! This is a 200mm lens at f/4.5 with the September morning sun rising just off my right shoulder. I’ve just cleaned up some distractions around the frame and cut a 10:8 crop.

(From somewhere near Woolverstone, River Orwell, Suffolk UK)

Container Ship "Edith" inbound to Tilbury, Essex UK from Rotterdam, Netherlands 08:12am November 9, 2023

A little blue heron in Dunedin, Florida last winter. I miss traveling...

Canvey Island, Essex UK

SOOC shot except for 16:9 crop

Two Tree Island, Essex UK