Wild About Images

Click the image to read the online story

If you find any more please do let me know. 

Paul

This post has been bought to the top page BWPA have now announced the Awards

Earlier this year I entered three images into the BWPA (British Wildlife Photography Awards ), in  August I received  an email from BWPA  congratulating me that one of my images had been short listed.

Submitted Images

I’m very pleased to announce that my image of a Stoat appearing from a drain has been selected for a commendation in the Urban Wildlife category and will form part of a national exhibition of British Wildlife.

Commended Image

The image will form part of an inclusion in a book showcasing the winning images and will be also  included in a year long exhibition that will tour the UK.

Dates and venues of Exhibition.

I am invited to the awards evening in London on the 23^rd September 2009, a massive thanks go to all that encouraged me to submit my work and of course the stoat for making a very brief appearance, I will of course post an update to this post at the end of September.

Paul

As the  weather is now turning a little colder at night the September mornings are beginning to turn into wonderful mists.

I visited Charlcotte park Nr Stratford to photograph the fallow deer  in the early hours of Sunday(13th).

Charlecote Park is a truly wonderful site early in the morning under these conditions, nestled by a river and stately home its an excellent location for a photographic opportunity.

If your up to speed on my blogs you’ll know I have an interest in Aviation photography and neighboring  Charlecote Park lies the small airfield of Wellesbourne which has a lot of activity  including a cafe .

Wellesbourne Airfield

Wellesbourne is also home to XM655 the Vulcan Bomber it will never fly like XH558 but does occasional either run up her engines or perform a taxi run.

Whilst I sat and waited for my breakfast in the airport cafe I’d noticed that XM655 had been moved from its normal location, I’d been told by airport staff that it was moved for an engine start and members day, no public allowed!.

XM655

A  little disappointed of there not being a taxi run and no access to XM655 ,  I decided to head back home then someone whispered some magic words  ” XH558 will be doing a fly past at 14:00hrs if you stick around”  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing? Apparently  because it was a members day on the airfield she was to perform a fly past and do a few circuits on route back to Brize Norton (558 had been up in Scotland displaying) where she is currently based 

Pinch me I’m dreaming !!

XH558 approaching Wellesbourne airfield

15:00hrs and a  little later as planned the delta wing appeared from a small spec in the distance!

XH558 doing a circuit at Wellesbourne

We were treated to around four circuits of the big lady which stopped everyone in there tracks.

XH558

It was such a shame the skies were grey again but none the less it  was a wonderful site but even better to have been in the right place right time !

XH558

Another coincidence happened on the day, I met  Gordon Allen ( Ex Vulcan Navigator)  He’d just piloted in a Cessna from Scampton with his wife on route to Stratford and they were also lucky enough to witness the Vulcan.

Thanks Gordon for some detailed accounts of when you were in service with them! A real pleasure in meeting you !  (I’d love to get some account of your stories on to this blog )

And a big thanks to the Airfield Cafe excellent breakfast !!

Paul