Severn Bore 4* Feb 2010

Arrival on scene in the estuary very early am. It was just after 0730hrs and sunrise was 0750hrs. Bore was due here approx 0800hrs so very little light to play with. It was also very cold. As Steve wrote on his board -2.5C and with the waning moon in the background it was an ideal shot. Note the highest tides few days after the full moon. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Sunrise approaching 0750hrs whilst waiting in the estuary for the bore arrival. The colours and reflections on the river at this time of the day are stunning. Highly recommended to all photographers. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Steve King & another about to pick up the bore. Quite a tidy leading wave at this point. I wonder if those peeps on the bank got me in their snaps :) All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Very impressive leading wave here and some great breaking motion. The background highways depot and traffic signs made for a striking composition. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Again very impressive leading wave here and some great breaking motion. This was areal wall of water. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

The bore is coming! Surfer leaving river bank and ready to wade out. The low level sun made for some great colours and reflections. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Very impressive leading wave here and some great breaking motion. The background highways depot and traffic signs made for a striking composition. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Steve King riding low on the bore. It is such a privileged position to be looking straight down the line of the bore and so close. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Surfer waiting for the bore arrival. The smile was probably due to the fact that the boat had arrived....wave imminent! All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

When I first framed this I just knew it was going to be a great day for distorted reflections. Another example of the natural diversity of this river is the wildlife. It is full of it and best time to see birds is pre-bore arrival as they all sit and feed in the low tide and mudflats. There are so many examples (elvers another) of symbiotic relationship in this river. How could they even consider a barrage here! Shame on them. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Most definitely some of the best gravity waves I have seen up close. The curves and turbulence was mesmorising to watch. It is only when I admire these photos after the event that I truly appreciate my experiences. Unfortunately as a photographer, sometimes too much effort is put into the capture and less into the appreciation. That's the name of the game I'm afraid. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Another great shot of Steve King and a smashing leading wave. Look at the wave breaking and the overall height to its left. Tidy indeed. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Following on from the last photo this is a shot of the opposite side as the bore smashes through the trees. Quite turbulent here. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

This is a cracker of a composition, if I say so myself. Great shot of the bore wave with surfers giving good perspective on wave height. The kayaker looking over at the whole scene was the icing on the cake. This is what I call a good media shot. Mr kayaker who are you please? :) All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Just look at the height of that bore wave, and it was a trailing gravity wave too! The distorted reflection is perfect. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

This is what I call looking down the barrel! The boat has a distinct advantage of getting into any place I need. Where better than on the crest of the bore wave. It got a bit bumpy at times mind. Image Stabilisation a must, as well as gear that can take a good drenching or two. My Olympus (E3) never lets me down :) All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Another cracker of the gravity waves taken right behind and in parallel line. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Another great one showing the depth of the bore. Steve King got washed away here, which is a rare sight, whilst the other surfer kept going. Even the best don't always get it right! All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Love the ripples and curves from these gravity waves. The water was alive. Another aspect of the Severn Bore that very few people witness close up. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

The bore is coming! Another surfer leaving river bank and ready to wade out. The low level sun made for some great colours and reflections.All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Steve King and other bore riders taking on the fantastic 4* leading wave. Again this section produced a tidy wave and looked great for the camera with those reflections. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Just look at that wave, just look at those reflections from the trees. Brilliant. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.

Now this was one face. Must have been close to 2m? Check out the glass pond ahead of the wave. Surreal. All photos captured with Olympus E3 and 12-60mm/50-200mm SWD lenses.