Birdman needs you!

Hey all, as I mentioned in an earlier post I, along with friends on my course, are embarking on a trip to Africa next year with university. For me this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will allow me to gain insights and experiences that can only expand my horizons. I will also be taking part in important conservation efforts in South Africa.

I am placing prints of some of my photography work up for sale. The photos for the sale have been selected and are now up for viewing. Take a look around the gallery and feel free to get in touch if you're interested, through comments or email.
Just let me know the name of the picture, or send me a copy of the link if you want one =)
 

email: matt.thomason389@gmail.com


Payment can be made through cash, if we are likely to meet in person or through PayPal.
The money raised will all go into the Africa fund pot & at the end of fundraising 10% of the entire money raised will be given to the RSPB.

Prices
A5 Print - £5
A4 Print - £10

All prints will be sent when confirmation of payment is received

The images in the sale are all available on my Flickr account which can be viewed on the link below.
Flickr Gallery
www.flickr.com/photos/106788922@N04/with/10511464245/

 
Cheers everyone =)

The London Continuum - Part 1

 

17th October

So the day was upon me. I am finally going to ZSL London Zoo. This is a day I have envisaged so many times since I was a young lad, but under different circumstances I should state. The day starts off at 5:30am, to ensure I am ready... Not a time I particularly enjoy. Once I had heaved myself out of bed & had gotten ready it was time for the adventure to begin, after a very appreciated lift off a friend I was on my train to London. I usually enjoy train journeys, but for a reason I cannot pinpoint this journey is so uninspiring & dull. I find myself just blankly staring into nothingness. Even music started getting boring, perhaps it was the nerves or maybe it's my odd mind creating a placebo effect. We shall never know! Hmm I could do with a psychiatrist buddy to expand on these ideas.

I eventually arrived at London Euston and made my way to the zoo, which would have been a pleasant half hour walk from the station had I not been weighed down many bags full of equipment, which turned it into a trek through an unrelenting concrete jungle. Still I made it to the zoo in good time. I swiftly found my way in and got my Fellowship card all sorted, looks awesome!

Today was originally going to be used to start collecting my data on their striated caracara, but instead it moulded into something far more useful, networking. The single most helpful tool at my disposal. I managed to meet with a couple of the keepers who have/ do look after the birds and managed gain the background knowledge I required as well as it being an opportunity for me to explain my project to them so they didn't just see a random person outside the enclosure for 3 hours at a time in the future (Which lets be honest, would be pretty awkward for all involved). I spent some time watching the birds as well to allow myself to get a glimpse of what I'm in for, collecting data. + the neighboring enclosure houses a Gymnogene! One of my favourite animals, enough to keep me excited for hours.

Gymnogene

Alongside this I got to have a little look around the zoo but didn't have enough spare time to go round the whole place, so on my subsequent visits I've got a plan to divide the zoo up into sections and spend some time in each section every time I visit.

(I must also add how impressed I am with A Day to Remember's new album Common Courtesy. I never really got into them before but it's a stunning record, it's my train album for London (Everyone must listen to it, a landmark album as far as I'm concerned).

 

18th October

So I made a split second decision last night due to weather reports to just go for it & do my first day of data collection at ZSL. The opportunity was presented to me & I took it! After all opportunity waits for no man.

I arrived at ZSL around the same time and promptly set my gear up and started recording. Everything went to plan & I really like this pair of birds, yet again they have a completely different personality to any of the others I have observed. This pair are really territorial & boy do they show it!  once more everything went to plan, surprising but most welcome. Got a chance to sit in on the Animal in action presentation the zoo holds daily. its a great half hour demo where they showcase some awesome critters including, meerkat's, armadillo, owls and vultures. Kept the kids entertained and was nice and informative. Great way for engaging the visitors.

But alas a strap on my camera bag snapped this morning meaning my camera is safely wrapped up in a towel for the duration of the day, I think some makeshift DIY is in order when I get home. (I know you can't start a sentence with 'but', it's part of my artistic license...) I really do love ZSL though, it just has an atmosphere that a lot of other zoos don't have, probably due to its past. The architecture, the enclosures are awesome. You've got to admire how they have built something so impressive in such a small bit of land. They've made superb use of the listed buildings as well, everything looks great. I have at least another 2 visits remaining. Loving every minute of it.

Keep and eye open for more photos on:

sparrowhawk389.deviantart.com

I'm also really hoping to get to the falconry centre soon, it's been too long. If I could I'd be up there every week. In other uni news, I'm going out to carry out a habitat suitability index on water voles next week for conservation. Its something a bit different, should be good!

Absolute Zero + Renegades

Hey all, today I thought it appropriate to share one of the things that takes up some of my time. I've set myself a momentous task of writing a novel. It may never get published or see the light of day, but it the the culmination of my entire childhood, my whole imagination, every piece of fantasy I have created has become one complex and twisted story. I felt if i could get it down on paper I will never forget it. The entire saga is entitled Absolute Zero & the story comes together over 6 chapters. I didn't start writing it until recently but I have spent many months creating this fully functional and explored world. So far I'm working on Chapter 1 which is entitled "The Wretched & Divine".  I suppose I should include some form of a synopsis so you actually know what it is about. 

"Luke Young is dying. He is facing the fate that all mortals must face in life. He has a lot of apologies to make from his life of following orders. This is a cycle he broke out of 4 years ago. He spends his life on the open seas with a close knit crew, helping those who cannot help themselves. However, Luke has been haunted by the same vision ever since his escape. Destruction centers around the existence of 1 human; when he discovers the existence of this impossible women he and his crew are led deep into the plans of an apocalyptic entity, Clarus of Pern."

It may sound like there are some cliches in it, but I am trying to make this a much more personal story. A couple of thoughts in particular inspired me, the theory that bad people can do good things and is it possible to find redemption after a lifetime of unrest. I'll leave the chapter breakdown below along with that of my second saga that takes place within Evermor. It is called Renegades and it is very much in its infancy and secondary to Absolute Zero. Renegades is largely inspired by the story of Spartacus. It is very much in the same vein as Absolute Zero, with the theme of breaking the shackles that bind us, but instead of redemption, it centers on the opposite emotions of revenge and retribution.

Absolute Zero

Prologue: Your Betrayal

Chapter 1: The Wretched and Divine

Chapter 2: The Scipio Gate

Chapter 3: Lonely Road to Absolution

Chapter 4: The Pursuit of Tomorrow

Chapter 5: The Bane at the Core of our Souls

Chapter 6: Powerless

Epilogue: The Aftermath

Renegades

Prologue: Massacre

Chapter 1: Supremacy

Chapter 2: The Path of Totality

Chapter 3: The Ursus Front

Chapter 4: The Rising Tide

Chapter 5: Vox Populi

Chapter 6: El Ducit Mundum Per Lucem

Epilogue: The Downfall of us All

There is then a third story which started off as a large section of mythology within the Absolute Zero timeline. I feel it is the last large scale tale that is left to be told. It predates Absolute Zero & Renegades in a time where magic played a very large role in Evermor's events & will provide the genesis of the magical tensions that exist in the later stories. It is told over 2 parts as it's quite a long tale.

The Golden Warrior - Descension (Part 1)

Prologue: Decimation

Chapter 1: Dreamweaver

Chapter 2: New Dawn

Chapter 3: Dark Mages 

Chapter 4: Welcome to the Family 

Chapter 5: In the End 

The Golden Warrior - Ascension (Part 2)

Chapter 1: The Last Stand

Chapter 2: The fate of your World 

Chapter 3: Alone Together 

Chapter 4: Awakening 

Chapter 5: Deathbeds 

To end this entry I am going to leave a little piece of Absolute Zero's prologue, to see what you all think. I'd be happy to hear any feedback and thoughts. This is a very personal goal that I am determined to finish.

"Last testament of Lieutenant Luke Young 

I’ve been in this hell hole for weeks now. My last request was for a leather bound book in order to write my last moments in this life down in the vain hope that the words find the right ears. I am a lieutenant in the Cydonian Royal army under the command of General Oric. I am awaiting death by hanging due to a charge of treason; unlike many of the innocents here in these cells with me awaiting the same fate, I am overwhelmingly guilty. I have been an instigator of fear and terror for my whole life. Too many people have suffered at my hands because I have been ‘following orders’ and ‘doing my job’ or ‘protecting my kingdom’, but in reality the real villain I should have been fighting is the one inside of me and every soldier in Cydonia, including the King, the right honourable King Simeon.

My ledger is dripping in blood and my act of treason was a bid to free myself from the chains that bound my mind to my cause. In all honesty to die now is not the freedom I expected, I have no intention of dying with a soul as rotten as a picked apple left out in the sun. This will not be my fate, and by the time you dim witted guards have read this it’ll be too late, I will have finally freed myself and sent a message. I am not placing a personal vendetta on anyone, but just be aware that the next time your blade goes to strike someone ‘plagued’ by magic potential, my sword might just be in the way. To my mother I will say sorry for tarnishing the name of you and father, seeing as that was so important to you, and to my once friend Sebastian Oric I will say you were wrong.

I will make peace with my soul. I’m not a good person, but do not think that means I am incapable of doing good things.

Lieutenant Luke Young"

This is how it goes

This is going to be a small update, I am close to completing my initial project plan which is to be handed in very soon. In terms of gathering research I hit a bit of a snag this weekend. I came home so that I could go and collect more data from a local falconry center, but it appears as if mother nature had other plans. Rain completely halted my plans. Damn variables win this round. Its especially irritating due to the time constraints I'm under for the project, but I will carry on, I'll just have to keep my eye on the weather for the upcoming weeks and find an opportune time to run in with my camera in tow! This is how it goes though, nothing you can do but go with the flow.

Its not all doom and gloom though, I have had my fellowship confirmed for London Zoo as well as having my research approved so hopefully I will be down there this Thursday to Saturday collecting data. I am so excited to head down there. I have never been to London Zoo before so that will be a photography extravaganza all on its own. This is going to be a great experience  and it'll be another achievement ticked off the list.

Besides the university work this week has ended with another feather in its cap. After deliberation an arrangement has been made which will allow me to go on a trip with the university to Africa next June! This is seriously a once in a lifetime opportunity and there is no way I was going to throw it away. The specifics are not fully known yet but it will involve plenty of hands on work with regards to animal conservation. However, nothing is black and white (unless your looking at a chess board, but that's a different tangent all together); it will mean I need to do a serious amount of fundraising . I am getting plans in motion for that and I'll post more as I create more. All the stops are coming out for this, I'm even going to get myself on a health & exercise regime so I am physically fit for the trip.

I would also like to add a huge congratulations to Chester Zoo who have just had some superb breeding success. They are heralding the hatching of 3 Grey-breasted parakeets, the rarest Psittacine species in the world. There are only 250 of these birds left in existence so this is a significant achievement. I wish them all the best and nothing but success with these 3 chicks.

http://www.chesterzoo.org/global/press-and-media/press-releases/rare-parrots-hatch

Grey-breasted parakeet - copyright Chester Zoo

Matt.

Lila, The Divine Game - Madina Lake's Epilogue

Farewell UK tour poster

So, last night was an incredible night. I got a chance to say farewell to a band that I've followed from the very beginning. I went to see Madina Lake at the 02 Academy in Leicester. Even though their 8 year journey as Madina Lake has come to its conclusion their farewell UK tour, whilst special & internally emotional, was by no means a sad affair. Wow they know how to put on a show! I'm so happy I got to watch them play one more time. They were the first band I ever saw live back in 2009 so going to see them again was a no-brainer. They played a really nice range of songs from all 3 albums, belting out every song with equal energy and enthusiasm and they genuinely looked as if they were having a great time! There were not a lot of people at the gig and some would moan at that but in all honesty I think it made the night even better, it felt so much more intimate and allowed them to interact with the crowd in more ways then they would have been able to if the venue was rammed.

Another bonus was being able to finally buy Lila, the Divine Game (Which I got signed), the book written by Matthew Leone (Bassist). I cannot wait to read it, it tells the whole story that is explored and told through the music of the 3 albums, From them, through us, to you, Attics to Eden & World War III. We also managed to get  hands on one of the set lists, which my brother got signed. The highlight of the night came later though as along with many others we got to meet some of the band. I met Nathan & Matthew Leone, they are such nice people & to hear how much they truly appreciate the support of the fans is refreshing. It was such a pleasure talking to them and being able to get pictures with them. I must also add that Matthew Leone is such an inspirational man, I have a lot of respect for who he is & what he went through.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to meet Mateo (guitarist) though as we all got moved away from the tour bus by the venue staff, which was a shame. The night was then capped with a ceremonial McDonald's then back to a friends house to catch forty winks.

Me with Matthew Leone

Me with Nathan Leone

In other music news, thanks to the beauty of 02 priority I've managed to get tickets to go see Fall out Boy next year in Birmingham on their Save Rock & Roll tour. Mind blowing stuff. Cannot wait, never got to see them before their hiatus so bring on March!