St James’s Park is the oldest Royal Park in London and is surrounded by three palaces. The most ancient is Westminster, which has now become the Houses of Parliament, St James’s Palace and of course, the best known, Buckingham Palace. It’s one of Europe’s most visited parks. Waterfowl have been kept here for centuries to feed the royal tables. Just 3 blocks from my club, its a fantastic place to photograph exotic ducks and geese.
White-headed duck. This species always gives me trouble. Just can’t seem to get the right light.
Whistling fulvous. Native to North America, I have never seen one in the wild, and probably never will. I spot a pair in the middle of the pond but they just won’t come close to shore. They swim toward the Blue Bridge and I venture out to surprise them. Now the problem with the Bridge is that you’re always shooting down, which is never good. Secondly, there’s a constant stream of tourists. The Blue Bridge provides a great “London” shot with Buckingham Palace in the background in one direction and Whitehall and the London Eye in the other. Anyone like me with large equipment is assumed to be a professional and hence you are constantly interrupted by tourists asking you to manipulate their point and shoots for the inevitable tourist shot.
I’m playing hide and seek with the fulvous who dart in and out from underneath the bridge. After several interruptions by tourists, I’m starting to lose patience. One more tap on the shoulder and I’m about ready to snap. Whirling around I’m ready to blister the ears off my intruding interloper when I’m stopped dead in my tracks. Standing in front of me are three drop-dead lovely senoritas from Mexico!! I make like its a request that’s been made for the very first time. “Why sure, I’ll take your picture. No problem.” I’m the very definition of affability.
After a quick couple of snaps with their camera, I ask permission to shoot with mine.
The girls, great sports, have obvious modelling experience as they soon start strutting provocative poses. In no time, we have the bridge traffic stopped in both directions, London’s hottest attraction!! People think they’re witnessing some Vogue magazine fashion shoot!!! What a hoot. Four Norte Americanos showing London what it doesn’t know how!!!
Shoots over. Group hug time. What I won’t do for North American solidarity. Ca fait du bien!! Whew! That was hot work in this weather. “Hey, I know a great pub just down the road. Drinks are on me!!”
(Hey, Paul. How come it’s never like this when we shoot on Amherst Island???)
Por Maria. Muchas gracias por una tarde increible!!