Newspaper publication mark tasker coastal watch

THE COAST ISSUE 1 2013

THE COASTAL WATCH BY MARK ANTHONY TASKER

Picture focus

I BELIEVE AS PEOPLE AND INDIVIDUALS W E ARE IN-

SPIRED BY THE LIVING W ORLD, NATURE AND W ILDLIFE IS IN ESSENCE OUR LIFE BLOOD. THESE PICTURES THAT W E ALL DO TAKE ARE THE LASTING MEMORIES W E KEEP FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Sharing with you unforgettable locations This is the first issue of my news articles concerning special and very unique locations. I hope to share these with you for free with the intention of recording our landscapes and local landmarks for prosperity via photography.

Also to share with people who may wish to one day visit these locations and experience the atmosphere first hand.. With this in mind the collection of pictures and news will engage your minds and hopefully will be thought provoking, This first issue is called The Costal Watch and primarily focuses on the River Mersey with its vibrant sea traffic and wildlife that still attracts today as it did over 200,000 years ago .

“NOT BAY WATCH!” As I took my early morning bike ride the weather was slightly overcast and grey, but it didn’t deter me and when I got to the old radar station by the beach I noticed the tide was out. The sea revealed the soft dark and bright sand with small water ponds forming like icicle fingers as the sea retreated away. The air was fresh and not many people were on the beach and the RNLI petrol car was heading in my direction so I caught the moment and got a great picture.

The River Mersey

The Costal Watch acknowledges that the River Mersey is still a hub of activity even today and as time marched by it has changed with ebbing tides. From the first brick docks in Liverpool to the massive expansion of the docks along the coast line to the present day has brought many changes. With containerisation being the most recent significant change to the construction of the super docks in the Liverpool to accommodate the huge cargo ships.

Often the we focus on these big ships with their Lego brick multi-coloured containers that we overlook the true work horses of the river, like the tug boats, or the drenchers that ensure the channel is deep enough. These small boats go about doing their work everyday unnoticed by many and do maintain this sea highway and assist the big ships. Yet in an a modern world the thirst for consumption means that these cargo ships will become even bigger.

So for me the above and bottom pictures do emphasis the important role they play and it was taken on a Sunday morning which reflects the changing environment we experience by living by the coast. The morning was crisp and sharp with clear blue skies and by the time I had decided to return back I noticed that out across the Mersey basin the sea mist was rolling in.

Within minutes the horizon had disappeared and the sky was becoming paler and paler as I headed back to the car park the mist then became a dense grey fog. The air was heavy and the booming sound of the fog horn ring out over Crosby, Waterloo, Bootle and Liverpool warning seafarers and locals alike to take heed. In my haste I quickly took these photos and caught two workhorses of the river heading out into the bay on a journeys only their captains knew.

As the coaster and tug boat passed the tall forest of windmills clouded by fog and navigated the dangers of the sandbanks in the distance , I caught the moment in time and was very happy with the results. Again due to the very special unique conditions of the day the river Mersey revealed another side of its true nature.

Mark Anthony Tasker All copy rights Š 2013 http//www.theimagesbanks.moonfruit .com

The Battle Of The Atlantic Celebrations

The Battle of the Atlantic celebrations on the River Mersey were a great success and wonderful as thousands of people congregated at the Liverpool Pier Head and the weather was not too bad as well. Warships from many nations converged to this single point to remember the importance and sacrifice made by so many people World War Two. In the above picture it shows a Royal vessel escorting a warship from another country into the mouth of the river and the sea was calm with deep tones of Prussian blue water bobbed up and down at the seawall defences.

The three wind turbines that stand as sentinels holding guard did give the image more significance for me as the two ships passed by heading to port. The air was electric with excitement and again the Mersey was on the canter stage to the world and giving pride to the people who live on its shores.

The second picture shows the Liver Birds in the distance and some of the warships docked at the pier head. In the foreground a single tug boat was hard at work and the water glistered as the sun beat down on the Mersey. Yet in the picture below you would think you were in the Med as speed boats raced out into the Irish Sea. Once again the Mersey showed what a versatile place it is even today with working tugs, warships and pleasure craft

Mark Anthony Tasker All copy rights Š 2013 http//www.theimagebanks.moonfruit.com

The Coast Line

The coastal terrain is now connected with many footpaths that enable you to walk long the sea walls on the Otterspool promenade in the south end of Liverpool or in the north end of Sefton, from Waterloo to the River Alt in Formby. So diverse is the landscape that it includes the major urban hubs of Liverpool, Bootle and Crosby and includes heavy industry and docks combined with seaside residential areas and many benches , which attract many people of all ages.

This picture shows the estuary of the River Alt which flows into the Mersey Basin and a soldiery post marking the footpath detour. However, for the adventurous if you follow the shore line just a little further you can see the yachting club nestled along the shore line of the river with numerous boats and yachts. And in the far distance is Formby point and the pinewoods beyond that have seen human occupation for more then 200,000 years.

Mark Anthony Tasker All copy rights Š 2013 http//www.theimagebanks.moonfruiy.com

The Coast Line In this section I decided to let the pictures tell the story and what I personally noticed was when these were taken. No matter what the weather was like people were out and enjoying their water sports or walking their dogs.

Even bike riding like me or playing golf in the nearby golf course. Such places are inspiring and do lift the soul and in some ways bring inner balance and helps wellbeing. I hope that The Coastal Watch have inspired you and rekindled your passion for photography and our local coast line.

Mark Anthony Tasker All copy rights Š 2013 http//www.theimagebanks.moonfruit.com