Morning Brue

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge - Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9588

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9588

The River Brue flows very slowly across the Somerset Levels.  Much of its route is really straight, but a small section between Meare and Westhay is all wibbly-wobbly.  So I started a mini-project to photograph is part of the river at dawn.

Meare

The village of Meare sits next to the Brue, it has a famous old fish house.  Built in the 14th century it was used by the monks of Glastonbury to store fish.

Meare Fish House - Meare, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_6676

Meare Fish House – Meare, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_6676 (from 2014)

Not far from the fish house is the Church of St Mary and All Saints.

The Church of St Mary and All Saints - Meare, Somerset, UK. ID DSCN4537

The Church of St Mary and All Saints – Meare, Somerset, UK. ID DSCN4537 (from 2004)

Day One – Fish House

Back at the fish house there is a small bridge that crosses the Brue.  During my first project trip to the river the sunrise from this bridge was deep red. I had hoped to capture the branches of the willow tree drooping over the water, but I was disappointed to see it had had a hair cut.

Sunrise over the River Brue - Meare, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8347H

Sunrise over the River Brue – Meare, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8347H

Gradually the red sky turned gold as the sun appeared over the hill next to Glastonbury Tor.

Sunrise over the River Brue - Meare, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8522

Sunrise over the River Brue – Meare, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8522

Day Two – White’s Confluence

On my next trip I walked along the muddy network of footpaths that cross the flat fields.  In the dark I set up my tripod near the confluence of the River Brue and White’s River.  It was another beautiful morning.

Whites River at Dawn - Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9042

Whites River at Dawn – Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9042

It was freezing and mist was rising from White’s River leading back towards the little foot bridge.

Whites River at Dawn - Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9141

Whites River at Dawn – Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9141

As the sun appeared an otter dashed back and forth across the Brue.

River Brue at Dawn - Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9299

River Brue at Dawn – Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9299

I could not zoom in very close, but it was an otter!

Otter - River Brue, Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK.

Otter – River Brue, Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK.

In the distance is the Church of St Mary and All Saints at Meare.

River Brue at Dawn - Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9438

River Brue at Dawn – Nr Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9438

Day Three – Westhay Bridge

The bridge over the Main Road at Westhay is very popular with photographers.  When I arrived Venus was looking over the village.

Venus - From Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9558

Venus – From Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9558

A stream of starlings flew passed in the soft morning sky.

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge - Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9765

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9765

Soon the sky was full of starlings.  They roost together amongst the reeds at the nearby Avalon Marshes.  Each morning huge flocks of starlings leave the roost, all the birds simultaneously spreading out across the countryside.

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge - Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9786

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9786

And finally…

The sun appears above the horizon with Glastonbury Tor and the Church of St Mary in perfect alignment.

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge - Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0037

Glastonbury Tor from Westhay Bridge – Westhay, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0037

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