Thrapston Gravel Pits, Northants

The sun was due to rise at 0755, but I arrived at 0730, without a real plan for where to head.  Parking up near the Sea Cadet building, I approached the footbridge and immediately noticed a handful of seagulls resting on the railings.  A couple flew off as I raised the camera, but three stayed in situ and allowed me to snap a distant portrait.  

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

On the footbridge itself, I looked to my left and spotted a grey heron in the water, patiently waiting for a small fish to present itself as breakfast.  

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

I continued on a clockwise path, keeping the River Nene on my left and the main gravel pit on my right.  I found an area that I thought looked reasonably promising for sunrise itself.  Because of the rising land to the East, the sun didn’t actually appear over the horizon until 0810.  The wait did give me plenty of time to watch the wildlife comings and goings.

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

One tree across on the Islip bank of the river had caught my eye, mainly because of the rich russet-red leaves that were still, somehow, clinging to the branches.  As the sun came up it illuminated the tree and the frosty ground below.  

[singlepic id=26634 w= h= float=center]

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

I crossed over the river at the next footbridge down and briefly ventured towards both Willowbrook and Pipers lakes.  Neither really pushed my buttons, though, and I headed back from whence I’d came.  

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

Thrapston Gravel Pits – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer

I did complete a full lap of the gravel pit but really struggled for photographic inspiration on my way around.  The frost, in the main, was light, and there was more chop on the water than I’d hoped for.  I think when I return I shall go armed with a longer lens and perhaps try to capture some better bird pictures than I managed on this occasion.

Looking for an event photographer to cover something you’re hosting?  

Event Photography by Karl Drage

Event Photography portfolio

You can contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

I mainly provide event and wedding photography services in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Rutland, Oxfordshire & Warwickshire, in towns such as Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oundle, Corby, Peterborough, Leicester, Huntingdon, Rushden, Towcester, Rugby, Daventry & Oakham.  I am, however, only too happy to travel beyond those locations – including internationally – to capture the magic of your event.

The post Northants Photography – Thrapston Gravel Pits appeared first on Event and Wedding Photography.

Nine Arch Bridge, River Nene, Thrapston

A bridge has stood on the site of the current ‘Nine Arches’ (as it is more commonly known locally) as far back at medieval times.  It is believed to have then been rebuilt in 1795 and would have extended across the entire Islip – Thrapston floodplain, spanning a full 24 arches.  It was reduced to its current nine arch-span in the 1840s, following the arrival of the railways when an embankment was cut.  

Today, in addition to the river, there are also three lakes on the Islip side (West) of the River Nene.  With the sun just popping up above Thrapston on the opposite bank, it was there that I headed. 

The frost was heavy and the area between the lakes was quite crunchy under foot as a consequence of the raised water level from the previous week’s rain.  A light steam began to rise from the flat-calm water as the sun came up.  It was beautiful.

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene, Islip Bank

I followed the path of the river south to where it is crossed by another bridge – a bridge that used to carry the Kettering & Thrapstone Railway line.  While I never saw railway tracks in situ, I vividly remember being taken for walks by my mum as a child along the area it used to lay.  Much of that area gave way altogether in the late ’80s and early ’90s as the A14 was built in its place. The railway bridge, however, is still there, and you can still cross it.  It provided a nice elevated view looking back at Islip.

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

Back down to ground level and a tad further south is the A14 road bridge, which is lengthy in its own right.  The area to the south of that was filled with frost covered teasel heads and burdock seedheads.  

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

With the path seemingly taking me away from the river, I decided to head back for another lap of the lakes and wander by the river back towards Nine Arch Bridge.  The sun was now rather higher in the sky and slightly more potent;  the pinky hues replaced by still-stunning bluer tones.

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

River Nene near Nine Arch Bridge – Karl Drage, Thrapston photographer

I’d lost an hour and a half and it’d been the perfect start to the day.  I adore photography at this time of year!

Looking for an event photographer to cover something you’re hosting?  

Event Photography by Karl Drage

Event Photography portfolio

You can contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

I mainly provide event photography services in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Rutland, Oxfordshire & Warwickshire, in towns such as Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oundle, Corby, Peterborough, Leicester, Huntingdon, Rushden, Towcester, Rugby, Daventry & Oakham.  I am, however, only too happy to travel beyond those locations – including internationally – to capture the magic of your event.

The post Northants Photography: River Nene at Thrapston / Islip appeared first on Event and Wedding Photography.