surfers against sewage

Blue Plastic Duck in Cardiff Bay: The Beginning of it All

Canon EOS 500D · ƒ/16 · 18mm · 1/200s · ISO 400

This blue plastic duck bobbing about in Cardiff’s Atlantic Wharf might seem like a joke at first glance — and maybe it is. But this was one of my first environmental-style photographs, taken back when I lived in Cardiff Bay in Wales, during the very beginnings of my journey into photography.

That little duck has stuck with me — part humour, part warning. A children’s bath toy adrift in murky water, dwarfed by the shiny new flats and slick urban redevelopment. It’s cute, sure. But also… off. That tension between the playful and the poisoned has run through a lot of my photographic work ever since.

Cardiff Bay: Regeneration, Reflection & Reality

Once a key industrial port shipping Welsh coal across the globe, Cardiff Bay has undergone a massive transformation in recent decades. What was once the bustling, gritty heart of Welsh industry is now lined with apartments, bars, and restaurants.

This image captures a quiet moment amid all that change — a frozen frame of reflection, quite literally. Still water. Silent symbolism. A floating reminder of the things we throw away, and what still lingers in the background while we build new futures.

Wales: Where It All Began

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, was where my photographic journey truly began. Night classes at Ffotogallery, tucked away in Chapter Arts Centre, gave me my first real introduction to photography — to working with intent, composing an image, and telling a story through the frame. It was during those night sessions I began thinking differently about images. About visual narratives. About how something as simple as a duck in water could say something more.

My camera back then? A humble Canon EOS 500D. Basic, but capable. I didn’t need bells and whistles — just curiosity and a few hours to wander the Welsh streets and waterfronts.

Environmental Echoes & Plastic Intrusions

Like my more recent Duck at Sea photo blog, this photo fits into my ongoing theme of plastic in places it shouldn’t be. Brightly coloured intrusions in serene settings. Nature vs. nonsense. I’ve always been drawn to that friction.

Whether it’s a city canal or a remote seascape, we keep leaving bits of ourselves behind — and not the good bits.

More from Cardiff & Wales

If you want more glimpses into my early work or the Welsh landscapes and urban life that shaped my style, you can check out my other photos here:

From gritty street scenes in Grangetown, abstract seascapes in West Wales to moody skies over Penarth, Wales is all over my work.

Final Thought

A toy duck. A beginner DSLR. A cold day in Cardiff.
Sometimes that’s all it takes to kick something off.

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Down on the River, Ziguinchor: The Global Crisis of Waterway Pollution

A typical scene from the waterways of Ziguinchor, Senegal, West Africa. Hand carved wooden canoes resting on the water, elegant white egrets perched gracefully, and, unfortunately, a shoreline scattered with discarded debris and plastic waste. This image encapsulates both the raw beauty of the natural world and the devastating impact of pollution on our waterways.

Traditional carved wooden boats, white egrets and a mound of pollution in a river in Senegal, West Africa.

Ziguinchor, Senegal: The Global Crisis of Waterway Pollution

A Journey Through Western Africa

This image was captured during my two-month journey through Western Africa, where I spent the majority of my time in Senegal, with a few weeks in The Gambia, where I captured my image of the four Vervet Monkeys posing like a boy band in the Bijilo Forest Park in Serrekunda. From the bustling streets of Dakar, and the awesome beaches on it’s peninsula, to the serene landscapes of the Casamance region, my travels revealed the vibrancy of local cultures but also highlighted the ongoing environmental struggles faced by many communities.

Ziguinchor, the largest city in the Casamance region, offers a fascinating glimpse into Senegalese life away from the tourist hotspots. The overnight ferry from Dakar is an experience in itself, providing travellers with a unique perspective of Senegal’s waterways and coastal environment. But as the ferry arrives in Ziguinchor, one can’t help but notice the plastic-strewn shores—an all-too-common sight throughout Africa and the rest of the world.

The Problem of Pollution

Plastic pollution is a growing crisis, particularly in developing nations where waste management systems struggle to keep up. The rivers and coastal areas of Senegal and The Gambia are no exception, with discarded plastics, fishing nets, and other waste accumulating in the waterways. These pollutants not only harm marine and bird life but also impact the livelihoods of local fishermen who rely on clean waters for their trade.

Nature’s Resilience: The Egrets of Ziguinchor

Amidst the environmental challenges, nature persists. The beautiful white birds in the image are Great Egrets (Ardea alba) and Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta). Their graceful presence on the wooden canoes adds an almost poetic contrast to the scene, a reminder of the delicate balance between wildlife and human impact. These birds are common in wetlands across West Africa, thriving despite the threats posed by pollution and habitat degradation.

Capturing the Moment: Camera Specs

For this image, I used my old camera, a Canon EOS 5D Mark II with my favourite 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. The settings used were ƒ/7.1, a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec with an ISO of 160. This combination allowed me to capture the rich textures of the wooden boats, the delicate details of the birds, and the unsettling presence of garbage floating along the riverbanks.

A Call to Action

Waterway pollution is not just a local issue; it’s a global crisis. As photographers, travellers, and citizens of the world, we must raise awareness and advocate for better waste management solutions. Governments, NGOs, and individuals all have a role to play in keeping our rivers and oceans clean for future generations.

Explore more of my work and support environmental awareness through visual storytelling:

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Let’s continue the conversation. What are your thoughts on waterway pollution? Have you witnessed similar issues during your travels? Drop me a message, or connect via my Instagram and let me know!

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#PlasticCrisis
#SenegalPhotography
#WestAfricaTravel
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