Shadow and light on the Nouveau Pont d’Arles, France, August 2017
La Fête de la Transhumance (the seasonal migration of livestock to a suitable grazing area) adopts an ovine form in Provence in early summer. Local shepherds lead their flocks to mountain pastures, a procession that now attracts viewers from far and near.
In Arles, the Nouveau Pont has been constructed to enable the migrating sheep to cross the Rhone with ease. The bridge carries much traffic on the E80 and N113, but beneath the road hangs a fully enclosed lower level. It acts as an everyday crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists, plus a long wall that invites graffiti artists. Its primary reason for existence in this form, however, is to create a safe passage for sheep and shepherds.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 22 December 2017
Posted as part of Thursday Special
Travel with Intent 
Wonderful :D. Wish you a very happy Christmas, Debbie!
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And the same to you Paula.
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Thanks for the explanation. What a great way of moving sheep across the river. I have to admit the first two photos with the light and dark upset my sense of balance (great photos to be able to have that effect on me). I wonder if the sheep feel the same way. Merry Christmas Debbie.
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I hope you have recovered now 😀 I don’t think it was quite as noticeable to the human eye. To be honest, the noise may be more scary for the sheep. The traffic passes overhead and brings both noise and moving shadows through the grille.
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Yes I have recovered. I hope I didn’t offend you and I can only imagine the traffic noise going overhead. I think it was Jo that said she’d like to see a photo with livestock en route. I’d like that too. Cheers Irene
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Thank you for sharing so many photos in 2017, Debbie. Best wishes for the Season, Ken 🙃
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How strange is life, Debs? 🙂 🙂
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Indeed! I didn’t even know what transhumance meant! Now I want to get back to see the sheep in procession!
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🙂 🙂
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Amazing
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