Tag Archives: flow

Sculpted by the Flow

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I was surprised to find such distinct sculpting of the sand by the flow of the ebb tide on my walk this week along the beach at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea Bay. The sand banks were noticeable on the beach but even so, the flow of water that created these deep ridges must have been fast. Perhaps there was some other environmental influence of which I was not aware.

sand patterns

Sculpted by the Flow

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The first shot in the sequence below is a particularly interesting mix of flowing sand and flowing water patterns. I guess the sand on the upper edge of the sand bank started flowing with the water it held after the sea had subsided to a level to allow this – fascinating nature yet again!

Sand Patterns
Sculpted by the Flow
Sculpted by the Flow
Sculpted by the Flow

Patterns in the Sand

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I think this is a sand piper!? The name would be appropriate if only for the patterns and colouring of its feathers reflecting as they do, the patters on the beach.

You can see both these birds and the sand patterns on many beaches – I could say any beach but it wouldn’t be true. The patterns of ripple and flow on any part of any beach may have a similar structure but they are all quite unique and dependent on the local surroundings, weather conditions and so much more.

One of the things that appears to influence the patterns on the beach in front of Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea Bay are the sand banks that have built up and no doubt change continually.

Sand Piper

Sand Piper

If viewing this in an email, please click the post title to see other photos in this post, thank you.

Sand Piper
Sand Piper

Definition of Pattern

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If the Swansea Uni students using the new Bay Campus have the chance to enjoy the beach in front of them, they will find, as I did on my walk this week, that some of the sand of the beach is made up of what appears to be old coal dust. This is entirely possible of course, given the industrial history of the area.

beach with black sand or coal dust

What I enjoyed about this aspect of the beach was the contrast in colour betweenContinue reading→

Still with the Stillness

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Walking on round the corner, away from the turbulence of flowing water in yesterday’s post, I arrived back in a place of stillness. The water was still flowing fast at the overflow to the lake at The Waterside, but the surface was smooth and the ripples clear – no leaping froth and foam here, even if it was just a few yards away.

This was a good place to end my walk and return to the warmth of the lakeside cabins for a coffee and a delicious bite to eat. Until the next First Friday (if not before), thanks very much to Sue and Steve Heatherington at The Waterside.

The full walk sequence and a soundscape will be on tomorrow’s post.

Flowing Ripples

 

Walking Across The Salt Marshes

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The next stage of my walk this week takes us across the salt marshes next to the Loughor river here in South Wales. I say “walk”, but perhaps I should say paddle as there had been a high tide and significant areas of the marsh and footpath were still draining the sea water. I was determined to carry on and knowing the tide was on the ebb I could be sure the way would only become easier.

marshy footpath

salt marshes after a high tide

Cold Steel or Molten Metal?

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The water flowing down over the huge stainless steel monolith in Cardiff Bay looks in close up like it could be the steel itself , solidified after a melt down. These images make the patterns of water look like solid metal, but I have done nothing with the colour – it is purely the effect of clear water flowing over cold steel. Any light or colour is a reflection of the grey sky. I guess if the weather had been warmer, the colour may have been warmer too.

Click the lower image to enlarge and see the patterns in more detail. Just to confirm, these are colour images!

These images can also bee seen on Leanne Cole’s Photography blog along with lots more “Monochrome Madness”.

water flow detail

Cardiff Bay Architecture-8Click the image to enlarge.

 

Patterns in Water – Slo-Mo Flow

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The patterns in the water flowing down the steel monolith structure in Cardiff Bay look like they could be parts of an abstract jigsaw. The slow exposure shot below was not an easy one to get as I didn’t have a tripod with me. I did my best though and like the combination of textures and the patterns that show up as a result of the (apparently) faster flowing water.

water flow patterns

slo mo flow