Project 52 - Weekly Photos from Geoff F

[Geoff F]

Week 08 - Dull day at Andrews Wood. We have recently had a spell of drab gloomy weather which was totally unsuitable for outdoor photography. Some sunshine was promised for today so I went to Andrews Wood in order to begin cleaning the bird boxes. But the drabness continued. However, I had a go at a few subjects anyway.

All are a merge of two bracketed exposures.



7D with Canon 24-105 lens 1/500 F8 Iso 640



1/160 F8 Iso 640

A muddy path with a bridge



1/125 F8 Iso 640

[Geoff F]

I was also looking for some fungi but all I found were a few clumps of rather scruffy looking Scarlet Elf cups.



1/50 f8 Iso 640

[Geoff F]

Week 09 - Aveton Gifford Tidal Road. Nice day for a change so I tried this location to see if there was any interesting bird life; but not much happening, so I had a go at the landscape instead.



7D with Canon 24-105 lens. 1/320 F10 Iso 400. Merge of two bracketed exposures.



And the creek beside the tidal road.



1/100 F11 Iso 320

[LenR]

Geoff, I am curious about the structure just above the water level about a third in from the left side in your last image.
Appears to be concrete - perhaps a remnant from WW2?

[Geoff F]

Older than that, Len. It is an old lime kiln. They were built from stone blocks and can be found around all the local estuaries.

Limestone would be brought here by boats and unloaded, which was often simply a case of throwing it overboard near the shore. It would then be carried to the top of the kiln by horse and cart using a nearby track. Limestone and firewood were placed into the kiln and set alight. The eventual product was used to improve acidic soil for increased agricultural production.

[LenR]

Geoff, cheers for that. Most interesting. I would imagine these date back to the 1800's.....

[Geoff F]

Yes but actual dates are uncertain. However, it appears that farmers were increasingly using lime as long ago as the late 18th or early 19th centuries.

There are 27 known lime kilns around the Salcombe/Kingsbridge estuary.

[Geoff F]

Week 10 - Thurlestone Sands. Some early morning sunshine tempted me outside so I paid a visit to this bit of local coastline. All images are a merge of two bracketed exposures.

Looking inland about 10 am.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/320 F11 Iso 250

But the sunshine soon disappeared behind increasing cloud. Looking seawards around an hour later.



1/320 F10 Iso 400

And another of those impossible scenes, although the dull light was actually helpful for this angle.



1/160 F10 Iso 400

[Geoff F]

Week 11 - Bantham - Old Boathouse. We have had a spell of calm sunny weather after a slight bit of early morning frost.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/320 F11 Iso 250. I also tried a 5 x 4 ratio crop but eventually went back to 3 x 2

Bantham - Burgh Island



1/320 F10 Iso 200

And a different angle



A close up of the famous Burgh Island Hotel



Canon 70-200 lens 1/500 F10 Iso 200

[billtils]

I like the Boathouse Geoff - it almost looks like a face .

BTW, can you think of any reason why our weeks aren't in sync - you are 1 ahead of me...

[Geoff F]

I try to get one or two weeks in advance, Bill. That allows for periods of bad weather or personal commitments when photography becomes difficult.

[billtils]

OK. I wondered if it was because your week started with the first full 7 days in the New Year or with the first calendar week that included days in the New Year (i.e. did not have to be 7 days long).

[Cantab]

I also like the boathouse. But I'm curious about from where the boats were put in the water. The wide doorway with a chain in front of it is far above water level. Perhaps one has to wait for a much higher tide? Or an exit route on a different side of the boathouse?

[Geoff F]

It isn't seriously used as a boathouse nowadays. There is an old side entrance which is hidden by the undergrowth. During the summer months small boats are kept on the grassy area in front of those seats and launched from a slipway which is beyond the left side of this image. This image was shot at low tide.

Incidentally, if anyone is thinking about staying at the exclusive Burgh Island Hotel prices start at £400 per night or over £1,000 per night for the best rooms.

[Geoff F]

Week 12 - Salcombe Over 60's Centre. Another of those now and then comparisons which I shot for the local history society calendar. This limits me to using a 4 x 5 size ratio.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/400 F10 Iso 400

And in the 1930's the area looked like this.



Those houses were very basic and besides the outside toilets they shared a single outside water tap. In 1943 they were badly damaged when the nearby boatyard was bombed and were eventually demolished.

[billtils]

What a super story these tell! Thanks for posting them Geoff - where did you get the 1930s one (I take it that it's not one of yours unless you are a secret time traveller ).

[Geoff F]

The old one is from the Salcombe History Society archives. More images and information is available here

https://salcombehistorysociety.co.uk/

I am a committee member and my duties include scanning any old images as well as producing the annual calendar.

Incidentally, the nearby boatyard was bombed because the Germans mistakenly thought it was a submarine base. They appeared to think that the whole local area was of higher importance than it was in reality

[Geoff F]

Week 13 - Jay in my garden. This bird has become a regular visitor to my bird feeders.



7D with Canon 70-200 lens 1/200 F9 Iso 400 shot through double glazing, at an angle.

Today started with sunshine so I went to the wood for a bit of bird box repair work but by midday the first signs of approaching clouds were visible



Canon 24-105 lens 1/500 F11 Iso 400. Merge of two bracketed exposures.

While I was there I saw my first Bee Fly of the year

[Cantab]

Geoff, you must keep your windows very clean! More seriously, the picture of the jay turnd out well, with or without double glazing. What species/variety of jay is this?

[Geoff F]

It is the European Jay (Garrulus glandarius) Bruce. Normally a rather cautious bird when near people but some will venture into gardens for food.

I think I was lucky in finding a clean bit of window, although I have just painted the outside of my house which started with a wash down using a pressure washer.