Close Encounters on the Beach

What would an alien look like if he landed on Earth and decided that his first priority was a bracing stroll on the beach?  That probably wasn't the question sculptor Antony Gormley was asking as he placed dozens of these figures - made in his own image - on the beach at Crosby, near Liverpool.  Each figure is weathered differently by the sea, wind and weather and consequently they all seem to have adopted slightly differing personalities.  The statues stare out to sea in silent contemplation, encouraging mere humans to do likewise.  And just to bring the whole thing back down to Earth, this chap's 'spaceship' is the roof of the local leisure centre.

Last Light of the Evening Star

This is the fishing vessel Evening Star settling into the darkness of the North Sea.  Her crew is already safe, warm and dry on board the rescue helicopter as she rolls onto her side.  The last rays of our own evening star - the sun - glint off of her beam as she prepares to slide out of sight for the last time.

There is something deeply moving about watching a ship sink.  It evokes feelings that are quite different from those brought to the fore by any other kind of disaster.  I distinctly remember my last view of the Evening Star: the Scottish flag on her bow muted by a few feet of sea as she sank from sight.

Siesta

What do you do if you're a black rhinoceros and the African sun just gets a bit too much for you?  Well... there are worse things you could do than find a shady tree and have an afternoon snooze.  This beautiful animal was hand-reared after his mother fell victim to poachers and, as a result, he didn't mind a mildly petrified photographer interrupting his siesta.  I was introduced to him by his trusted human friend, who stayed close enough to ensure that this incredible encounter went smoothly.