Simply Reflection and Reviewing the Week 5

Posted on 14/12/201414/12/2014 by Alastair

Swans in the Distance

Posted on 12/12/201412/12/2014 by Alastair

Reed Reflections

Posted on 09/12/201409/12/2014 by Alastair

I love the effect the moving waters of Tennant Canal has on the reflection of the reeds along its banks – painterly or impressionistic! You can see from the photos that it was a good day for a walk along this canal at Jersey Marine near Swansea.

The “brush strokes” of leaves both in the water and against the canvas of the field make these grasses some of the most attractive plants in this enclave of nature surrounded by the habitation and industry of man.

There will be another photo of reeds against the sun to be seen later today on Monochrome Madness 41 at Leanne Cole Photography.

Complementary images are posted on Instagram through the week and can also be seen on the sidebar of the StillWalks blog.

A Well Kept Secret – Exploring Tennant Canal

Posted on 08/12/201408/12/2014 by Alastair

The Tennant Canal at Jersey Marine is just a few miles from the centre of Swansea. The area is surrounded by works and roads, developments and housing, but before you reach any of those things, you would have to climb over the small hills that surround Pant-y-Sais Fen alongside which the canal flows.

This haven of (relative) peace and nature is like a well kept secret – if you didn’t know it was there, you wouldn’t think to take a look. The M4 motorway twists past at one end and there is currently a major development for Swansea University being carried out on the seaward side. But the sound of this activity is not to be heard such is the noise absorbing effect of the topography along with trees and other vegetation. The wind in the reeds and the more noticeable and pleasurable sound.

Complementary images are posted on Instagram through the week and can also be seen on the sidebar of the StillWalks blog.

Rainy Days in Wales and England

Posted on 05/05/201205/05/2012 by Alastair

Sorry to those of you who noticed the lack of a blog entry last week. Here are a couple of the many reasons for the omission.

Pant-y-Sais Fen – Last Friday I discovered this place by Jersey Marine near Swansea. This was part of a bird song identification walk with Bob Tallnack and others from the Gower Ornithological Society. It was most enjoyable in spite of the rain and the fen by Neath Canal is a beautiful place where I hope to do produce a StillWalk on some dry day in the future. More photos can be seen on Facebook.

You’ll need to click on the blog title in order to listen to the Chaffinch in this place as it can only be viewed on the actual blog.

Neath Canal near Pant-y-Sais Fen, Jersey marine.

York’s River Ouse oozes out – It was still raining when I attempted a production day in York last Sunday – the photos here show the evidence. Fortunately, Monday morning brought the sun with it and although the waters had not receded much, I was still able to get the images and sound I need to produce a new StillWalk.