Yesterday evening I had a most magical experience. The first day of August, it had been long and very hot, with a threat of a break in the weather. I had had a busy day already, having been for a joyful walk by the sea in the morning with a friend, followed by a cool-down swim at the beach. But my daughter and teenage grandson suggested an evening swim at Shaldon and I thought why not? Something I had not done before.
The river beach was surprisingly busy, with the customers at the shoreside pub overflowing on to the sand while they listened to a live band. Such holiday spirit in the air! Further along the beach towards the Ness there were couples sitting close together watching as the sun went down. The silhouette of a fisher patiently casting in the hope of catching some mackerel in the outgoing tide. And the Dad and his son throwing stones in the water, enjoying getting wet as the splash from the bigger rocks came over them. A bubble of peace in a troubled world.
I used my Canon EOS R to take a few shots as the light was so gorgeous:
I played around with some creative shots of the reflections of the boats:
My grandson took the plunge into the river first, and I followed him in. Very rocky underfoot in contrast to the fine sand of the beach and I could feel the pull of the current as I got in, along with the brush of drifts of seaweed against my skin - a little spooky as the light faded! I lay on my back in the water and watched the incredible patterns that the light from the setting sun was making on the rippling water - and suddenly remembered that my underwater camera was in my bag! Got out of the water to get it, and was caught by surprise by the cooling wind, but that meant the water felt much warmer when I got back in again!
Bobbing in the water on my back, I set the camera to auto and took some photos looking towards the mouth of the river:
I turned and looked upriver and I was bathed in the colours of the setting sun. My soul filled with warmth:
As the light faded the water began to feel a bit chilly, but I was reluctant to leave, feeling immersed in the afterglow:
So grateful too to have shared this with my grandson. You can just spot his head, like a bobbing seal! Making memories together.
I have struggled with aspects of my photography this year but this morning when I uploaded these images, I was filled with joy. It was not possible to review the images during the shoot so I had no idea what they would be like. I was bobbing around in the water which lead to a lot of UCM (Unintentional Camera Movement!) but they truly reflect what I had experienced. And that doesn't happen very often. On reflection, I realise that the trip to the beach was serendipity. How important it is to be open to ideas and be willing try something new, especially when one's mojo is elusive. Taking a chance to use a waterproof camera has added an unusual perspective to my photography and I am so pleased to have captured the magic of the evening's experience.
It was a wonderful start to my birthday month. Enjoying time with family and friends in the warmth of the Devon sun, combining two of my favourite pastimes, swimming and photography. Looking forward to much more of the same in the days ahead!
#kodakpixpro; #sunsetswim; #shaldonbeach; #hotaugustevening; #devonswim; #inwaterphotography; #magicandjoy; #sunsetphotography; #nightphotography; #familyandfriends
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