ABC Wednesday - Elements

 Coniston Water

The elements as described in ancient and medieval philosophy were earth, air, fire and water from which they considered all other substances were composed. Later a fifth element was added called quintessence, or quinta essentia, supposed by Aristotle to permeate everything.  Well this is the quintessence of a  hot and sunny Sunday when people head for the water. They were 'in their element', sailing and swimming. although the boy at the bottom of the photo was not quite prepared for how icy cool a lake fed by mountain streams can be and was heading for shore. He shared his experience with us as he came ashore .

An aerial and elegant master of the elements, the golden ringed dragonfly (cordulegaster boltonii) who lives by mountain streams and heathland, I tried to get closer but the crunch on the rocky path alerted it and it resumed its patrol up and down the the bracken and stream .

Kikby Moor

Earth, air and water all in one picture. The spinning wind turbines on wet moorland and gathering clouds, we were 'braving the elements' on this walk last week.

That leaves one element left, fire,

 Broughton in Furness

no flames here though, because there are 10 retained fire-fighters to put them out, and on the left is their training tower. Retained fire-fighters are people who have full time jobs but are on call and when that call comes are ready to drop everything to become part of a team to fight the element of fire.

Time to take a canoe out of its element and natural environment where it glides through the water carrying its passengers, to four people carrying in onto the solid earth, dry land.  The end of an enjoyable day on the water.  Time for home.

Eager to see more of the participants of ABC Wednesday and what words they have envisaged beginning with E?  Then visit here.