The Danube Delta

Setting the scene with maps and satellite imagery, we learnt some of the history of this fascinating area, and some scene-setting photos gave us an idea of life in post-communist Romania – ruined buildings, dogs, donkeys and  horse-drawn ploughs alongside boats with outboard motors, good hotels and plenty of foreign tourists. John assured us that Romania was not a backward country and talking to Di later she explained that modern Bucharest was wealthy and full of Western businesses.

Di started the evening with a presentation of stunning nature shots. She told us she wasn’t a nature photographer; we didn’t believe her! She showed some wonderful images of the birds they saw,  and I think we were amazed by the variety of birdlife that can be found on the Delta.  It wasn’t just exotic species that thrilled them either.  John told us how excited he was to photograph a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – something he has been trying to do for years. ! I rather liked Di’s cuckoo in take-off – we just don’t see many cuckoos in England anymore and to get a take-off shot was something else! We saw a vibrant yellow wagtail – exact species unclear – but Di showed us the bird as a sharp digital image and later John showed us the same bird, same perch as a softer, arty print.  Di also gave us some more unusual species which are either not seen or are rare here – these included pelicans, both white and dalmatian, a hoopoe, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Pallas Gull and a stunning Black Necked Grebe.  We heard and saw some of the thousands of frogs that live in the Delta too. We even saw the sunrise – Di admitted they both hated early starts but the views at sunrise were so stunning that they asked for a second pre-dawn visit.

Di  ended her half with an AV set to music, showcasing photos by both herself and John. We sailed through the water with them, sharing the tranquillity and enjoying the natural environment.  Indeed Di said she was often torn between the desire to take photographs and the desire to just sit back, watch and enjoy. I think we can all relate to that.

In the second half, John was in his element, talking about his prints. We all know how much John loves printing and what a talented printer and photographer he is – and in his Danube Delta prints, he really excelled himself. We saw some ‘straight’ photographs, some similar to Di’s but on paper rather than on-screen; we compared the same photo of an eagle on two different papers to show us the difference your choice of paper can  make. We enjoyed some lovely, soft-hued arty photos (with sharp eyes! ) For me, though, the highlight was his Danube Dawn pelican series.  These were sublime – words can’t describe them. Beautiful shades of pink, yellow, orange, and that early morning golden glow. All were printed on matte, textured art paper -  simply beautiful.

In both John’s talk about his work and in his finished photos, the love he has for nature, for  photography and for making the most enchanting photographs really shone through and we were all caught up in his passion for his subject.

Di and John gave us an evening to remember. They took us with on their trip and made us feel that we had travelled with them as we shared their enthusiasm, their love for the area and  the joy they both find in seeing wildlife and making photographs. Truly a special night.

Helen Jones