Guardian Of The Sea by rockstrider
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This shot of Captain Cook's Monument was taken in Whitby, North Yorkshire, last Tuesday. We had got up early for the morning light from this POV and my camera info tells me it was just before 6am. This was such a wonderfully tranquil time before the usual crowds enveloped the town and Chrissy, aka BibbyBear, and I enjoyed spending it together without another soul around. A picture of the nearby Whalebone Arch taken moments before this one appears in her gallery (click on the above link to see this.) About fifteen minutes after this the sun was too high and bright for any more pics on this side of the cliffs. (The seagull on his head isn't a permanent fixture!!)
Captain Cook was born on 27th October 1728 at Marton-in-Cleveland, but it was the nearby coastal town of Whitby where he was to begin his training as a seaman.
From the bronze statue of Cook looking out to sea on Whitby's West Cliff there is a panoramic view of all that makes the town what it is: the ancient Abbey and the squat St Mary's Church visible across the harbour, pantiled roofs of cottages little changed since Cook's time here. He lived on the east side, over the bridge in Grape Lane. It was here in John Walker's house that he began his apprenticeship, working late into the night reading about navigation and seamanship. By 1755 Cook was an experienced and trusted seaman, and Walker offered him the command of the ship.
But James Cook had other, bigger ideas.
Today the house forms the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and houses even more artefacts connected with Cook. Room settings and changing exhibitions give a flavour of the maritime trade of Whitby and the age of sail.
Thanks for looking and any comments and critique are,as always, more than welcome and valued!
Comments (42)
Tanglimara
Fabulous lighting in this great photo really makes Captain Cook stand out. Tony :-)
tennesseecowgirl
Fine photo, and loved reading about this. :)
fredster66
Excellent. Perfect time of day for this capture my friend.
fractalinda
Outstanding shot. Incredible light and mood.
cmolsen2002
God bless your alarm clock! This is sublime. I love it, and I enjoyed the narrative you included very much indeed!
Richardphotos
outstanding sunrise and statue.the bird calls it it's own now
MrsRatbag
Wonderful lighting & mood!
awjay
superb capture
drag
Beautifully photographed. I bet there is always a seagull perched on the head of that statue lol.
Janiss
Outstanding capture with splendid mood... I adore!
mairekas
Outstanding shot! Wonderful lighting and mood!!!
danob
Excellent shot Carl lovely evening light and yet retained shadow detail
vlaaitje
wonderful light and such a gorgeous mood, I really like it
MOODYBLUE92954
WONDERFUL SHOT THE SEAGULL DID MAKE ME GIGGLE THO'
delaorden_ojeda
A great tribute, indeed, love the mood and the wonderful light, really gorgeous, Carl, bravo !
babuci
Excelent capture of the great man. We have a statue of him here in australia too. The early time sets a fantastic mood.
RobyHermida
WONDERFUL SHOT
MrsLubner
A very solomn looking shot. Strong reflection and composition.
stonedhendge
great work...
tizjezzme
wow, you even got a bird sitting on top of its head. GREAT photo; lovely colors & light :) hope you are doing well ...
auntietk
Great shot, love the bird! :)
Ionel
Beautiful! Very well done, my friend!
npauling
Excellent lighting on this super capture and I love the seagull. We have Captain Cook to thank for mapping New Zealand, he was a busy man, and very forewood thinking. It was well worth getting up early to get this shot.
CavalierLady
The light here is magic! Wonderful sky and sheen on the ocean! Beautiful work!
Fred255
Wonderful shot here Mate! The lighting is just perfect! The seagull sitting on his head just makes this shot so much better!
ledwolorz
Fantastic light and colors.Wonderful photo.
Alz2008
Is this statue called Cliff by any chance LOL, seeing the gull on his head.. Great capture of light excellent well done..
mickuk50
ahh my part of the world carl ,i live 30 miles from here further up the coast :o)..the amount of times i`ve seen this and yet you have put it into a different perspective and light .superb capture my friend mick
BibbyBear
I think when we checked the EXIF data on our shots, mine was taken 21 seconds before your shot here (the reason mine is darker is my tendancy to reduce the exposure compension....my leaning towards the 'dark side' LOL!) Anyway, the instant I saw this shot on your LCD last week, I knew you had a winner as did your uncle, who's opinion we both value after his years of photographic experience and of course, our dearest Di aka Rainbows loved this shot when you showed her. The lighting is perfect and is a much more accurate representation and your tones are perfect. The composition is brilliant, giving us a perfect "bird's eye" view of the sea and the sun's golden reflections shimmering on the surface, but also allowing us a view of Captain Cook, the old ship's mast and a little sneak of the pier to the left. Your eye for detail is fantastic and you are going from strength to strength with each photograph you upload. Perfection babe, simple perfection. Hugs xox
blacq_nyght_vampyre
Amazing shot!! The gull adds a bit of humor to this beautiful setting.