08 March 2017

Latest on the Wooden Bridge Restoration - Woodbridge Island

Visual Update of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island, Milnerton

The Wooden Bridge - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
The Wooden Bridge - Photo Copyright: Vernon Chalmers

Visual Update of the Wooden Bridge April 2019

The last update I made regarding the possible restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island was on 1 May 2016.

Today, in the Tabletalk newspaper (8 March 2017), as the front page article 'Bridge passes another hurdle - Restoration plan gets heritage nod.' residents gets another update on this drawn out matter.

According to the Tabletalk, Heritage Western Cape (HWC) has approved the City of Cape Town's plan to restore Woodbridge Island's historic wooden bridge after the presentation of a report in favour of an expected project cost of R30 million.

It is estimated construction period project will take approximately 12 months to complete according to Brett Herron, City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport and urban development.

The Tabletalk article reference HWC committee member Mike Scurr to say that the bridge needed to 'adapt and find a contemporary meaning' Mr Scurr, an architect from Rennie Scurr Adendorf Architects, a firm specialising in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings and precincts is working in partnership with Bergstan South Africa Consulting and Development Engineers, which is representing the City, as the applicant for the proposed restoration project.

Its also stated in the Tabletalk article that various people have questioned the restoration project and the historic value of the bridge. Some residents also feeling that the funds could be used for more useful purposes - such as poverty alleviation in the area.

The article furthermore points out the ongoing debate in terms of the restoration project costing and the longer term utility value by the article's closing statement by Bouwe van der Eems, vice chairman of the Milnerton Central Residents' Association " It can be argued that the Woodbridge area has potential to become a magnificent public space similar to Mouille Point. If this potential is unlocked, the area can become a popular destination for tourists, holiday-makers and residents creating business opportunities and jobs that will exceed the cost of restoring the wooden bridge.'

News Source: Tabletalk (Wed 8 March 2017)

Previous posts regarding the Restoration of the Wooden Bridge

Update: Restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island
Update: Restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island


Woodbridge Island Bridges, Milnerton Cape Town
Woodbridge Island Bridges, Milnerton Cape Town

Milnerton Lighthouse Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

The Wooden Bridge - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Wooden Bride Woodbridge Island / Cape Town - Image Copyright: Vernon Chalmers


History of Milnerton / Woodbridge Island
From 1897 - 1980 History of Milnerton

01 March 2017

Early Morning Birds in Flight - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Over the last few days we had some great early morning light and weather in Cape Town. I used this opportunity on a few occasions for testing some Canon EOS equipment / capturing a few Birds in Flight in the Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island.

All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 6D / Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Canon EOS 70D with Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM and EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lenses (Manual Mode / Fast Shutter speeds 1/2500s / Handheld).

(Click To Enlarge)
Egyptian Geese: Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Woodbridge Island Cape Town
Egyptian Geese: Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town



Grey Heron Canon EOS 700D / Woodbridge Island Cape Town
Grey Heron Canon EOS 700D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town


Yellow-Billed Duck: Canon EOS 70D  / Woodbridge Island Milnerton Cape Town
Yellow-Billed Duck: Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town


Cormorant: Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town
Cormorant: Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town


Cormorant: Canon EOS70D  / Woodbridge Island Milnerton Cape Town
Cormorant: Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town 


Yellow-Billed Duck: Canon EOS 6D  / Woodbridge Island Milnerton Cape Town
Yellow-Billed Duck: Canon EOS 6D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens - Woodbridge Island Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery
Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Caspian Tern in Flight - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Caspian Tern in Flight - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
The first captures of the Caspian tern above the Milnerton Lagoon / Milnerton Golf Course, close to Woodbridge Island, Cape Town,

With the Canon EOS 70D Mark II / 400mm lens. This is the first year that I'm observing so many Caspian terns around Woodbridge Island / Table Bay Nature Reserve.

(Click to Enlarge)
Caspian Tern in Flight : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Caspian Tern in Flight : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Caspian Tern in Flight : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Caspian Tern in Flight : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town


Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Digital Workflow / Lightroom Post-Processing Cape Town Support Group



Digital Workflow & Lightroom Post-Processing Cape Town Support Facebook Group

Invitation to registered delegates from any of my Digital Workflow & Lightroom Cape Town tutoring and private training sessions.

The Digital Workflow & Lightroom Post-Processing Cape Town Support Support Group is a private photography enthusiast community dedicated to the continuous practice and support for individual photographers attending my Digital Workflow Post=Processing Cape Town tutoring and private training sessions.

Digital Workflow & Lightroom Post-Processing Cape Town Support
Any registered delegate who has attended the Digital Workflow & Lightroom Cape Town tutoring and private training sessions is welcome to post images and / or request any support with regard Digital Workflow Post=Processing Cape Town tutoring and private training sessions

Goal and Objectives of the Support Group
A closed / private Facebook Group assisting delegates of the Vernon Chalmers Digital Workflow Post-Processing Cape Town tutoring and private training sessions with ongoing skills development and hands-on support in terms of:

  • Photo sharing, learning and Q&A platform 
  • Discussing relevant knowledge / skills and related settings

Minimum EXIF Data (when uploading images)
Please add at least ISO / Aperture and Shutter Speed with body / lens ID. You don't need to repeat it on every image. Only in your main description if uploading more than one. You're also welcome to just ask a question.

Image Quality
Image quality is not essential - more important is asking questions and sharing various elements of your Digital Workflow Post-Processing questions.

NB!! External Sharing into the group
Please use discretion when sharing your external photos - it is recommended that all relevant EXIF data is provided (as with most of the images in the Group).
Content other than personal images

Only publish / share your own images
Please do not make new posts with external Facebook Page links other than reference to your own images. You're welcome to make reference to other content / online learning material in discussions with other members, but not as a new post.

Publishing Camera / Photo Information Please share minimum camera / lens / phone / location information such as brand and other settings if available (Aperture / ISO / Shutter). If you don't know please ask before / when you post.

Asking Questions

Anybody is also welcome to post questions to the group or Admins to answer. You don't have to post it with an image, just ask a question re general camera / lens / photography settings.

Brand / Product / Service Marketing or Promotion
Please refrain from deliberate brand, product, service promotion for any other purpose than naming your camera / lens and related accessories.

Please use discretion when adding / sharing any other content other than your own photos, comments and questions.

Admin / Moderator: Vernon Chalmers


Digital Workflow / Lightroom Post-Processing Cape Town Support Group
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 : Development Module

Digital Workflow / Lightroom Post-Processing Private Training Cape Town

Upcoming Adobe Lightroom CC / Photoshop CC Book Reviews

I've just received the latest Adobe Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC training workbook from the 'Classroom In A Book' series for review from Pearson South Africa.

This Classroom In A Book title for Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC is the official training workbook from Adobe.

Over the next few weeks I will be reading / reviewing and be working my way through this book together with Scott Kelby's 'the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC book for digital photographers' (For Lightroom 6 users too).


Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book Classroom in a Book from Adobe by Lesa Snider
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book Classroom in a Book from Adobe by Lesa Snider

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby