THEIMAGEBANKS

THE COUNTRY-SIDE

WATCH

By

Mark Anthony Tasker

All copyrights © 2014

http//www.theimagebanks.moonfruit.com

THEIMAGEBANKS ISSUE No 2

WELCOME

This is the second publication from the Theimagebanks and this time

I have pulled together images that focus on The Countryside Watch.

In this edition it covers wildlife, parks, canals and landscapes so I

have selected just a few pictures that I took over the summer holi-

days, which I feel that are unique and you may find interesting.

Hope you enjoys the images and the short stories that explains why I

picked them and the local history in some cases.

LAZY SUMMER DAYS

As winter fell and spring came forth the days lengthen and the nights grew longer

with the heat of summer lingering throughout the day and night. For me this is

season sums up life as families spend quality time with each other.

In the animal kingdom the need to produce new offspring before summer ends re-

flects the cycle of life and in some ways even mirrors our needs to get the crops in

before winter.

So on this hot summers night we had a visitor in our front garden and to our sur-

prise the cats Oscar and Jessie we sitting nearby watching this shadowy creature in

the undergrowth. I took a few pictures of the hedge hog and named it “Look Who’s

Here” foraging in our garden and for me to see this wonderful creature was truly

amazing. Just ask yourself how often do you see such a small animals that’s nearly

becoming a rarity and most times to our shame we find what’s left them on the

road!!!.

I suppose it’s the price we pay for our modern hectic lives almost divorced from

nature, but it seems that our gardens are becoming mini sanctuaries for our wild-

life. So we all should try to give something back and help them. For me this pic-

ture will always be one of my favourites and I hope it’s still out there and after so

reading I did learn that hedge hogs are really garden friendly as well.

THE TEXAS ROSE

It was the height of summer and this small tree was clinging to one of the wooden

fence and was full of small yellow roses. Hidden behind an apple tree and living

in the shade these mini roses were absolutely glowing and were so bright that they

stood out.

I recall they were a gift from my parents and I only knew them by their name “

Texas Rose” and had completely forgotten about them as they didn’t need much

care and seemed to be very hardy.

As I took the picture shafts of day light found their way through the branches and I

focused on just one single rose. The reflection of the daylight caught the petals and

I felt that it was one of those moments when certain conditions come together,

hence the end result.

THE DOOR WAY OF ROSES

This rose tree for the first time blossomed and was really a pleasant surprise to see

so many roses, but under it’s own weight it formed an natural arch without any in-

tervention or manipulation by me. Yet it had grown up to ten feet high and was ex-

panding into the nearby pine trees so I couldn’t resist taking a photo and thought

that it may never be same next year. Also I realised that these days and moments

may not be repeat again and after all it was the height of summer. So for me this

picture says it all and a sense of warmth and light does oozes out and compliments

the greys from the wooden fence.

BUTTERFLIES

Patience is a virtual so they say or the early bird gets the worm are saying that are

so true and this summer was turning out to be brilliant. Getting that elusive close

up of the subject is never easy as conditions in nature are often beyond your con-

trol, of what, where, when, how many or just that single one.

Yet this single butterfly kept on coming back to the same plant again and again and

after the third visit I took this single shot. How lucky was that I thought to myself

and although I didn’t know what type of butterfly it was the garden seemed alive

with bees, birds and butterflies. So for that single shot I had to focused on the sub-

ject and waited for that special moment and squeezed the button. In that split sec-

ond I had recorded a brief moment of its lifecycle and afterwards I couldn’t resist

sharing my photo with like minded friends on National Geographic.

The summer was turning out to be a good one considering the previous years and

only shows that nature can bounce back. Looking back this was one many achieve-

ments I had made through photography and at times you do need a bit of luck of

being in the right place at the right time.

In this photography I caught a female blackbird foraging near the

old bird stand were the seed balls were kept. As I took the shot its

head turned around as if it was fully aware of my presence.

I thought at time that the background light and the colour of the

fir tree were ideal as they did offset the natural details of the bird

feathers.

MRS BLACKBIRD

On the fence Mr Blackbird came to

the garden within seconds looking

for his partner, both making claim to

their territory and fending off all

new comers. With a second opportu-

nity like this my efforts did pay off

in the end, but after a few shots this

one was the best.

WHERE HAS SHE GONE!!

THE OLD CANAL

The Liverpool to Leeds canal was started in 1770 and just in four years a small

section was used, but it was finally complete in 1816 and extended in 1822. The

history of this old canal is rich indeed and yet it connects the east and west coasts

of England and in its day that was a major achievement. In this picture the ducks,

geese and the swan gather at a favourite picnic spot searching for food.

This particular bridge in Litherland was recently modernised and spans the canal

and leads into the Primrose Valley Country Park which separates Litherland from

Crosby, creating a safe haven for wildlife. For me the composition was the true in-

spiration and the main reason why I took the picture.

This was the second photography I took on the bridge on my return journey

back home ,but later in the afternoon. As the day light began to fade and three

swans headed down the canal from the old sandstone Cookson bridge. I took

the shot and caught the moment as the young cygnet, which was smaller in

size started to push ahead of it parents, but the canal was tranquil and almost

a mill pond and no threats insight. It was strange to think that in complete

stark contrast to it industrial past that canal barges worked by men and

horses, which my grandmother’s father once did, were then replaced by en-

gines are in fact becoming a rare sight to see these days. Yet nature always re-

claims what we take and the old factories are now empty and decaying were

being replaced by new houses on the canal bank. So with a view of passing

swans going by, what else could you ask for!!

I SAW THREE SWANS GO

SWIMMING BY

SPRINGBANK VILLAGE

At the height of summer the tall grass grew and flowered then turned into a

sea of golden carpets covering vast areas of land. On days like these child-

hood memories of going fishing by the canal or playing football or chasing

dragon flies and butterflies reinforced my belief in the greenbelts in our cit-

ies.

The natural beauty of our landscapes are treasures we need to keep and nes-

tled on the Liverpool to Leeds canal is the Springbank Village built with its

own village green, just below Hatton Hill. The land does raise sharply giv-

ing great views in all directions, even the sea! So I took this picture as the

day light was so perfect and I was walking down hill to Waterloo and the

coast. For me this typifies the meaning of hot, lazy summers days and for

the many joggers, cyclist and dog walkers I’m sure they would all agree me.

JUST LIKE THE FIELDS

OF PROVENCE

On this day just before the height of summer the country park was full with so much colour

that I was almost fooled into thinking that I was in the South of France, which I had visited so

many times whilst on holiday. The tall grass was so dense that when the wind blew it moved

like sea water.

The twittering of birds filled the air as I walked on the old path and it was still quite peaceful

and deserted with nobody in sight. So with my camera I took a few pictures and this one was

the best one as the colour of the grasses really does come through.

MANY PATHS TO WALK ON

The Primrose Valley Country Park

does have many paths to walk on and

on the first picture on the right the

path splits into two. If you pick the

one on the right you end up by a small

brook full with tall reeds and a pond.

Although during this dry summer it

was almost dried out the allotments on

the far side gave some amusement as

the chickens were very loud.

In the picture below gives you some

perspective on the size. In the distance

you can see a pylon and if you were to

turn around and walk a bit Liverpool

city centre is clearly visible, including

the Liver Birds. For me these two pic-

tures just show the diversity the park

and it’s on our door step!