Bird Photography Exhibition | Royal Albert Memorial Museum Exeter

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On The Wing

I am absolutely overjoyed to be exhibiting a selection of my bird photography. The exhibition is called ‘On The Wing.‘ It will be in the café area of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Exeter from the 23rd July to the 20th October 2019

Birds and animals are my passion and this is a brilliant and timely opportunity to showcase my work. The Museum have the theme of Migration for 2019. There are a number of events at the Museum related to the migration theme amongst them is ‘Birds Without Borders.’

Migration

A migration is a seasonal movement of animals from one region to another. It is also a movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions. A movement from one part of something to another. I was intrigued by the implications of the word migration and its particular relevance to both man and bird. 

Migration in this photographic display is a movement informed by my own journey in search of beauty and the portrayal in art form of my love of birds. The images of birds in the exhibition follow a geographical direction starting at the northernmost point of the bird photographed. The starting point is Crediton and the first image, Chicken Flurry.  The chicken is the only bird in this collection that arrived in it’s geographical location having been placed there by man. The last image is Out My South Window – The Herring Gull Pair on the Lamp post. I have observed and photographed this particular pair of gulls for around 10 years.

The trajectory flows from North to South as the crow flies. This flight path passes by my North Window in the centre of Exeter and then flows Southward guided by the River Exe passing through Topsham by the estuary and arriving at Exmouth’s seashore. It then heads West to Teignmouth’s seaside pier. The path then returns northwards tracking back up to Exeter through my allotment and culminating in the South facing aspect of my apartment.

Herring Gull’s rural-to-urban migration

An extensive rural-to-urban migration of the Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus) has taken place since the 1970’s. This has been largely due to human activity and the plundering of the seas by commercial fishing practices. According to a Food and Agriculture Organization estimate, over 70% of the world’s fish species are either fully exploited or depleted. Herring Gull’s are opportunistic feeders and would traditionally forage around the seashore cleaning up the fish and shellfish debris. Urban Gull expert Peter Rock from Bristol has conducted the most extensive longterm studies of urban gulls. He says that there are virtually no traditional rural colonies of Herring Gull left. This bird is an endangered species, classified as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015) 

My love of gulls and concern for their welfare prompted me to create the website: www.iloveseagulls.com  A loving space where positive and uplifting stories can be shared about gulls from around the world. These are beautiful, intelligent creatures that inspire me and many others.

Stephen Moss wrote perfectly about Gulls in the Guardian:

“So why do I love seagulls? Well, for me they are among the most fascinating birds on the planet. Don’t believe me? Well, here are some reasons to change your mind. First, beauty. The great evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould once wrote that a gull’s wing was about as near as nature ever gets to perfection – indeed, he argued against his better judgment that it was a fairly good argument for intelligent design, so well suited to its purpose did it appear. And while the aerodynamic form of a gull’s wing is of course a product of natural selection, it is indeed hard to imagine God creating anything much better. Just watch a gull soaring gracefully above the quayside and you’ll see what I mean.”

 

Exwick Wassail | Flow

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We started the Wassail day off in Exwick Community Centre. Everyone was busy making lanterns and learning the Wassail song with Emma. Simon Bates and The Artist, Anne-Marie Culhane spoke. Then, we had the wonderful storytelling by Heather.

When the time came to go, Emma sounded the signal to leave the building and make our way down to the field where the Toastmaster Crispin was waiting. The branch holders were at the front of the group followed closely behind by Anne-Marie as Sentinel and Chris (The Wind) with the rest of the procession following. The Band played at either side. The Toastmaster waited by the fire bowl to receive everyone.

The children whispered and listened to the wind, playing in the trees, then everyone went into a round of singing and bashing crescendo pots and pans. The full moon shone down and stars were created in the night sky as the camera’s flash illuminated the rain droplets. Orbs were created by the lights and rain and played around Sentinel and Wind. Sentinel with her lighted torch visited the trees coming back with the Wassail bowl of cider filled by the Toastmaster. Then the bowl was passed around for all to drink. Wind played his flute to the trees. A most magical evening.

 

 

 

 

 

Cass the Gull flies to freedom

Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Gull, seagull, bird animal  photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

This day was one of the most joyful and absolutely right days of my life. It was today that I made the decision to release Cass the juvenile Herring Gull that I had been looking after for 54 days. I first met Cass after being alerted to him by a friend who saw him hopping in the bus station on one leg. I was advised by a rehabber to get him to a vet, so I went and fetched my trusty cat basket. He was given antibiotics and pain relief for an infected leg.

I then took him to an avian vet to get an xray which was kindly paid for by someone who loves and rescues gulls. He was diagnosed with osteomyelitis – a bone infection. He was put on to stronger antibiotics and pain relief. I was lucky to have the use of an aviary to put him in and a lovely lady who used to rescue birds but now was unable to due to health problems. She did give him his meds though. I came up every day to change the water containers and clean and scrub the aviary. We often worried that he wasn’t making too good a recovery, but his leg at times seemed better and he was able to put his foot down and bear weight on it.This wasn’t too often. I made many enquiries to research other ways of healing the bone and spoke to different vets. I even asked the Supervet practice, Noel Fitzpatrick but they weren’t able to help. During this time, the lady whose aviary I was using had to be rushed into hospital and is still there now and getting slowly better. So, I took over administering the meds and visited Cass 3 times a day.

However, I was getting more worried about his recovery and decided to ask a lovely lady who loves animals and is a homeopath. She came up with a double remedy that was taken over four days. He became agitated at times following the remedy – trying to fly up against the aviary mesh desperate to get out. He also lost his appetite and was hardly eating, only an apple that he liked to peck and a few grapes and cheese over the period of 5/6 days. He didnt touched his fish or dog food. Apparently, this was a good response to the remedy and showed it was working. I’d panicked though and made an appointment for the vet to xray him today to see what was going on. Then, after meditating and talking to the homeopath I decided to trust the process of the remedy and believe that all would be well and that he was healing at a deep level. I considered that even if all went wrong it wasn’t fair to keep him in captivity any longer and that he would be better to have his freedom in nature. So, as I left the aviary this morning after going to feed him I saw him standing by the aviary door. I knew that I would be coming back and collecting him to set him free. I phoned the vet and cancelled the appointment. I called a friend and we made our way down to the Topsham estuary and I opened the carrier and he walked on both feet on wet sand into the water to freedom. Shortly after he flew up or the first time and then circled around flying low to the water and landed on the still estuary water. There were no other herring gulls in sight. But, as if out of nowhere 3 other Herring gulls joined him! A juvenile, a young adult and a mature adult. It was the most beautiful and natural scene and I wept tears of joy. The best decision ever to release him here! Soon, he was joined by a handful of juveniles and they flew off towards Powderham. He had taken his rightful place at last as bird of the sea. Thank you to everyone who helped this beautiful creature who is home at last!

Stop the Badger Cull | March in Exeter

A very moving day for the march against the expansion of the Badger cull. People from all areas and different groups came along to join in the protest against the killing of these innocent creatures. The march ended in Bedford Square where different people spoke out against the cull.  Amongst them were, Diana Moore – Green Party, Luke Pollard Labour MP for Plymouth, Nigel Palmer – Save Me, Peter Martin – Badger Trust Chair and Gloucester Against the Badger Cull, Richard Meyer – Zoologist and author of The Fate of The Badger and Julie Fitzhugh – patroller.  There were many different organisations present to support this march as well as around 200-300 people attending which was fantastic!

Stop the Badger Cull video

For the gallery of photographs please click here

Photographing MEDTheatre | Stapledon

Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Med Theatre photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

 

Photographing MEDTheatre for the ‘Stapledon’ performance this week was such fun. We were capturing images for some publicity shots for the upcoming play. I’ve worked with this great community theatre company on many occasions and it was great to be back on Dartmoor with them again. It was lovely to meet Suvi and Helen with 5 members of the cast. We walked up to Hound Tor and then on down to the medieval village in front of the Greator.

MEDTheatre is a community theatre organisation and registered charity based on Dartmoor, working with people in remote rural areas. All of their work is inspired by the history, ecology and folklore of Dartmoor and surrounding Devon as well as the pertinent social, scientific and environmental issues which face the residents of a National Park.

The performance is about Bishop Stapledon (1261 – 1326) who was also Bishop of Exeter and twice Lord High Treasurer of England.

The play will show the poverty at that time which saw children starving to death while the Bishop collected taxes from their families. Stapledon lived in luxury and looked down on the poor people. There was talk of cannabilism with children being eaten, such was the hunger and desparation of that time.

The play will be performed in Ashburton on the 27th, 28th and 29th of September 2018. All performances are in St Andrews Church, Ashburton, and start at 7.30pm. Contact The Med Theatre for details.

To view more images from Jenny Steer Photographer visit my website

For more information on booking me please do feel free to contact me

pictures@jennysteer.co.uk | 01392671276 | 0770644515

 

 

Exeter Vegan Market | Corn Exchange

Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Vegan photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

Wow!! The first ever Exeter Vegan Market and it was just across the road from where I live! It was an amazing turnout and I had a stall showing some of my photography. There were all sorts of fab stalls. It was such a success and I’m looking forward to the next one already! I took some photographs and have some on a gallery too so follow the link to the gallery and the password is effa.

Jenny 🙂

Nightjars with Artist | Sidmouth

Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Nightjar bird photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

An amazing evening up on Fire Beacon Hill, Sidmouth photographing artist Anne-Marie Culhane. Her love of and fascination with these enigmatic birds continues to inspire her. Anne-Marie was curious to experiment moving on the hillside with white hankies.  White card or material has been said to attract the interest of the male who is churring and staking out his territory, this may be because in the fading light they resemble the underside of another male’s wing or that they mimic the movement flashes of moths, one of its major sources of food.  She subsequently went up with Tony Whitehead (artist and RSPB) and then with 16 or so participants and Thelma Hulbert Gallery as part of Art on the East Devon Way. They spent time settling in and Field Sensing, sensitising to the sounds, sights and feeling of being there. Located on a grassy track on the border of the territory (thanks to information from Toby at RSPB).  As the sun set and fell into darkness they had close to churring, wing clapping, kericks and fly-by’s from the male nightjar and his partner. The bird seemed especially about the handkerchiefs. The artist also made a limited edition print run of hand-printed handkerchiefs using an ink drawing of a nightjar made earlier this year screen-printed onto hand-made organic cotton squares . A percentage of the profit will go to a local conservation charity on the pebblebed heaths where around 120 male nightjars make their homes in East Devon. Nightjars are now on the amber list for protected species and have seen a moderate increase in recent years.

BBA Boat Launch | Lyme Regis

Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary Boat Building Academy Lyme Regis photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

Another brilliant day at the Boat Building Academy for the launch of the Class of August 2017. A sad day too as Yvonne and Steve were both leaving. I’d like to thank both of them for the wonderful contribution they made to the Academy and for always making  me feel at home there. The launch went well and it was very calm waters – not good for the sailing boats! Here are some of my favourite photographs. Enjoyed using my macro lens for some arty abstracts!

To look at the rest of the pics please go to: Gallery If you get lost, the password is bba

Oystercatchers forage shellfish after storm | Exmouth

Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature bird Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

What storms bring in is always welcomed by the birds that live at the seaside. Usually, its the Gulls that really profit from the food that is strewn along the beach after a storm. So, I was interested to see a flock of Oystercatchers on the rocky outcrop and along the shoreline on Exmouth beach in January between Maer Rocks and Orcombe Point. There were some Canada Geese too. However, they only have a certain amount of time to forage before the tide comes in again and the food is lost. So, I was frustrated to see that dog walkers were frightening the birds and chasing them away from their foraging. Even the rocky outcrop isn’t safe refuge for them as people and their dogs go out onto the rocks and then the birds have nowhere to rest.

Don’t think I’m against dogs, I love all animals! I just think there should be protected areas for wildlife and that an area set aside for birds without interference would be great.

Flow Orchard planting | Exwick | Trews Weir

Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad
Documentary nature tree Artist photographer photojournalist, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, Exeter, UK, abroad

What an absolute delight to photograph this next stage of the FLOW with the tree planting in Exwick on Saturday and Trews Weir on Sunday. Artist in Residence Anne-Marie Culhane organised a fab couple of days with Simon Bates – Exeter + East Devon Green Infrastructure and Mary-Rose Lane – Environment Agency. Over 130 people turned up to plant trees!!

The trees are a mix of fruit, nut and foraging trees for insects, animals and humans to encourage movement and FLOW through the Riverside Valley Park.  There are just under 200 trees to be planted in 2018 which include local and heritage varieties + more unusual such as apricot, almond, loquat to adapt for a changing climate. The idea is that anyone can pick them and that you take a fair share and leave some for other people and wildlife. The route also compliments new wildflower planting that is happening in the river valley park to encourage a B-line for pollinators as part of Exeter Wild City Project and the flood defence scheme landscaping.

Anne-Marie collaborated with Emma Welton, a composer from Exwick to create the Exeter Wassail for 2018 with new lyrics for FLOW

Artist, Amy Sheldon facilitated lantern making. Devon Wildlife Trust showed people how to make bird feeders. We had an amazing storyteller, Heather Jane who told a beautiful story related to local trees and wassailing. Heather had heard the Robin call to her when she created the story. Traditionally, the Robin is the guardian of the orchard and thats why  toast is usually hung in the tree as an offering to the Robin. For this wassail however, they pinned the toast on Joe’s coat and hat.

So, it was amazing when I arrived to photograph at Trews Weir and the first thing I heard was the entrancing song of the little Robin as he perched so close to us and surveyed our tree planting, darting all around us! On the bird theme, I loved that as we started the walk to wassail at Trews Weir a flock of Gulls flew over us in a FLOW down to the estuary to roost! (See the pic.)

Here are some photos of the two days.