Boats and Ducks

Here is a little group of boats on a calm blue lake in Germany. It is a hot summer's day with a light, pleasant breeze and one would think that all these boats would be occupied and out on the water, but here they remain waiting, guarded by a pair of ducks. I liked the way the two boats at the front mirrored each other, their bows almost kissing, and the little splashes of red and yellow add a little vibrancy to all the blue, which I find quite appealing. A nice "summery" picture in other words, with no pretension of being anything else, but yet I am a little intrigued as to why there should be a barbecue out on the quay... Location: Nuremberg, Germany

Telephone Box Line-up

Telephone boxes are rapidly becoming obsolete in many parts of the world now that almost everyone seems to have a mobile telephone. In many cases they seem to have more of a nostalgic than a practical value, and none so than the iconic British red telephone box, no less than five of which are pictured here. Coming across so many boxes in one place was a bit of a photographer's treat, for things in groups are often more interesting subjects that single examples. There is something essentially British about these gorgeous constructions, with their comforting solidity and bright colour. London has been particularly good about retaining large numbers of its telephone boxes, realising no doubt their value as visitor attractions –as recognisable as double-decker buses and Buckingham Palace. It's been a long time since I myself used one of these boxes, but I have photographed them a great deal over the years. Attempts at modernising the exteriors by creating one large window on either side failed miserably; there's something special about all those little panes that gives an illusion of privacy yet still allows those inside to see out and, back in the day, those impatiently queuing outside to glare in! There are no queues here now, only a pigeon debating whether to make a call... Location: London, England

Putney Bridge

Another entry in my series depicting bridges over the River Thames – one day I'll hopefully have photographed them all. This is Putney Bridge –perhaps not as well known as some of the other bridges further downstream, but rather a nice one – with its gentle slope, wide, graceful arches and ornate lamps. The picture was taken at low tide, and numerous birds are feasting on the rich, wet banks –but these birds are good at disguise, and only a few can be seen. If you are a careful observer of my pictures you will recognize the trademark double-decker bus that appears on most of my bridge pictures from London. In this case I had to wait a long time for a bus to come along, without it being blocked by other large vehicles on the bridge. Once I had taken the picture, however, a whole fleet of double-deckerss came along –which is typical. The sky is a bit moody and there's a brisk wind, but I find the image to be quite peaceful, and evocative of this charming part of the capital. Location: London, England

Seaside Café

This is another picture from a series I took one afternoon in Lowestoft on the eastern coast of England when the sky was dramatically magnificent and the light magical. It was long before the bright sunshine of summer causes this promenade to fill with life, but there's a vacant table. optimistically set up outside the café and a single guest – an equally optimistic seagull hoping for a treat. I took some shots here in black and white too, but I found the pale yellow light in the distance particularly beautiful and mellow. I am also constantly fascinated by and attracted to the wistful emptiness of places that at other times of the year teem with life. Location, Lowestoft, England

Sunset and Peace

Everyone loves a sunset, don't they? Photographers certainly do, although I think most of us have to admit that they rarely, if ever, can be captured in all their beauty in a photograph –no matter how well a single picture turns out. This is because a sunset is a process,constantly changing, not a single moment. However, this does not stop us from trying! One of the most spectacular sunsets I have seen occured in San Antonio, when the whole sky seemed to flow with glowing beauty, reddening into a magnificent finale. Thousands of birds seemed to be drawn to the spectacle as much as the people, for they (the birds that is) jetted across the sky with great energy, sweeping down to land occasionally on buildings and towers. I managed to capture a mere few of them here, resting on the impressive peace monument presented to San Antonio by Mexico. Like the monument, the evening was rather surreal, and certainly unusual. I was quite pleased with the picture, especially the diagonal streaks of cloud and the two larger birds, standing like sentinels on the top of the light. But of course, in reality it was even grander! Location: San Antonio, Texas

The Birds is Coming -II !

To complement yesterday's entry I thought it would be nice to redress the balance and say that most birds I have encountered have been perfectly behaved, unobtrusive and genial, and I couldn't imagine a world without them –the sound of birds singing in the morning or evening is one of my favourite things. And even seagulls can be polite and friendly, such as these fine gulls in South Carolina who were clearly only too delighted to be able to pose for my camera. They had no intention of ganging up against the human race... or did they! Location: Charleston, South Carolina

The Birds is Coming!

Earlier this week I re-watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic "The Birds" and once again found it to be a most unsettling film –strengthened as it was by an experience I had a few days earlier when I was attacked by a very angry raven in Oslo. It was unexpected and –as far as I was concerned- totally unprovoked, though I may unknowlingly have trespassed onto what the raven considered its own personal territory. The attack resembled very closely those in the film, and I was indeed fortunate that it was only one bird that was after me. But some years ago, on an island off the Australian coast, I was similarly attacked by a seagull on an idyllic, deserted beach In the film seagulls are the other large bird doing the damage along with the ravens. So though I am truly a bird-lover (ornithology is one of my other hobbies) I am now a little apprehensive when I notice them ganging up, lest they have it in for me! These gulls however seemed fairly harmless –more curious and cheeky than vindictive– and I was quite pleased to get five of them into one shot in all their flying beauty -without being pecked! Location: Brighton, England

Peacock

There are few things more magnificent than the fabulous outfit of a peacock, feathers unfurled. I find it incredible and humbling that nature could produce something so beautiful, and was thrilled that this particular bird elected to show off for me.

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Birds On A Wire

Just a simple photograph that I quite liked -the sun going down in Tennessee, birds resting or waiting on telephone wires, wondering perhaps where all the leaves have gone.

Location: Memphis, USA

Birds Queuing to Take a Bath

Union Square on a hot day. These little birds are politely waiting for their comrade to finish his bath before taking their own; the tub doesn't seem to have room for them all. Fortunately, no dog is nearby, because this is actually a canine water trough!

Location: New York, USA

Old Railyard

Cranes, carriages, warehouses and interesting cloud formations -but the reason I particularly like this picture is the bird surveying it all.

Location: Norfolk, England

Braving the Cold

Extreme cold in Eastern Europe this month means it's best to stay inside -and this Polish pigeon seems to have found the fanciest house in town to brave the winter, while keeping a sharp eye on all passers by.

Location: Warsaw, Poland