Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Deer are my favourite subjects, I never get tired of watching or photographing them. The Sika are easier to get closer to than the Roe Deer, but they are just as pretty.

Fern Gully

Fern Gully, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Sika are easier to photograph than any other deer I see. They are far too curious to run away and tend to be happy for you to take a shot if you dont bug them.

Love Me Do

Love Me Do, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Makes you want to play a little Barry White and walk away doesn't it?
Still thats what you get when you are a Bloody-Nosed Beetle and you can't find any privacy.

Less Meadow, More Brown

Less Meadow, More Brown, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With more meadows being cut down at this time of year the colour of the landscape starts to change. This mornings wander was a little bit disappointing because of the lack of birds and animals. There was plenty of noise from the hedgerows, but they were all keeping well out of range.

Hay Bokeh

Hay Bokeh, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Just a quick shot from the car today.
The bail makes the Kestrel look tiny, but it was a very big bail....

This evenings wander up to the cliffs was very quiet and very peaceful. It is strange that on a beautiful blue sky evening in the middle of the busy tourist season you can spend hours up here and not see another soul. At this time of year, the grass has been cut and the Sun drops behind the hills at about 8 o'clock, so it can be a bit difficult to get any photographs. Without cover the Roe Deer, Badgers and Foxes are more aware and harder to get close to, they stick to the darker realms of woodland and hedgerow. I never get tired of the Purbeck Roe Deer, I have lots of photos and can never resist taking more. They are very shy and you have to be carefull if you want to watch them for any length of time. There are said to be less than thirty on the Isle of Purbeck, so they are far from common, but this female had twins earlier this year so there numbers may be on the increase.

Foxy On A Mission

Foxy On A Mission, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One from last night, just as the Sun was setting and the light was a little poor. It was great to see another Fox in such good condition. I tried my 'rabbit in distress call' again, as it worked so well before, and choked on my chewing gum. Dr.Dolittle, I ain't...

Firework Lights

Firework Lights, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Swanage is the perfect place for a firework display as it has hills on three sides and water on the other. This is my first real attempt at shooting fireworks, so any hints and tips would be appreciated.
For the technical, this was iso 100, f8 for 0.8 sec.

Spitfire

Spitfire, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Watching the Spitfire yesterday was a definate highlight. Being able to take a shot with building behind it changes everything.

Vulcan #2

Vulcan #2, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It was incredible seeing this big old bird flying along the shore. The Vulcan is incredible to watch and the noise when it was opened up made your eyes water.
Taken from a boat at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Typhoon #2

Typhoon #2, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Typhoon Eurofighter showing off at the Bournemouth Air Festival yesterday. I managed two shots with vapour starting to form on the wings and cockpit. The other one would have been a better shot but it wasn't quite in focus.
I was sat on a boat taking these, so thanks to Haydn for the trip.

Allies

Allies, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I couldn't make it over to the Bournemouth Air Festival today, but I did get an offer from a friend to take a trip on boat. Although it was not the easiest of platforms, the company was great and the show was superb.
This is the Mustang and the Spitfire, just wonderful.

Autumn Lady

Autumn Lady, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Impossibly delicate and only a few inches tall, it is amazing that Autumn Ladies Tresses survive the constant barrage of wind on the Durlston hills. I saw Dom Greves' shot of these and set out this morning to find them.

Swanage Air Festival

Swanage Air Festival, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Ok, so it doesn't really compare to the Bournemouth Air Festival that is going on at the moment, but I do like kites.

All That Glitters

All That Glitters, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

What a difference an hour makes. This is Poole Harbour again, taken at about 8.30. Everything had changed, the people had gone and the Sun was turning the clouds into Gold.

Poole Harbour Sunset

Poole Harbour Sunset, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Poole Harbour, this evening at about 7.30, just as most of the holiday makers were queing for the ferry. Not a bad to be on a beautiful sunny evening. We spent a while in the dunes (not looking for nudists) but looking for tracks. We had Deer, foxes and even snakes and spiders leaving there mark in the sand, all good fun.

Harvest

Harvest, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

At this time of year the meadows are cut and the some of the cover enjoyed by the Deer, Foxes and Badgers has disappeared. It will be difficult to get the shots I want for a little while, until things settle down again.

Off The Menu

Off The Menu, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is hard to think of these cute little Wheatear gracing the table of the high born, but there were considered quite a delicacy. Shepherds used to catch them alive sell them on, making more in a Wheatear season than they could hope to get looking after sheep.
Not a lot else going on today, maybe later this evening will be a bit better.

Mighty Hunter

Mighty Hunter, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This is from my encounter with the young Fox the other day, just after I did the Rabbit call.
If you fancy giving it a go you, either, slowly rub a piece of expanded polystyrene across a piece of glass, or purse you lips and suck (making that squeaking noise you use to annoy kittens!)
Try it, it does work sometimes.

Doing Something Cute

Doing Something Cute, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This time of year and for the next couple of months, I think Sika are at there prettiest.
I can't get enough of these or the Roe deer.

"Do Something Cute & He'll Go Away"

"Do Something Cute & He'll Go Away", originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The well photographed Sika Deer at Arne are sometimes very well behaved subjects. Today they were a little harder to get close to but stiil superb to watch.

Hang On! You're Not A Rabbit

Hang On! You're Not A Rabbit, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

We watched this young Fox for quite a while tonight and he seemed happy enough. Until I did my 'trapped Rabbit' call, that is. He bounded about twenty feet towards us, then stopped suddenly and sat down. I think he was disappointed.

Eyes On The Prize

Eyes On The Prize, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One from the archives as I failed miserably to take a decent shot of a Bat tonight.
I took one shot of a recognisable bat, but it isn't good enough to post, but I have figured out what I was doing wrong. It was only the flash, focus, shutter speed, aperture and timing. Once I sort those out, I've cracked it.

Out Of The Green

Out Of The Green, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I was just watching the Sika in the background, (not taking any photos honest) when out of the blue, a head popped up. There was a herd of about thirty, all healthy and happy in there summer coats, ready to eat the Roses from the gardens of the miserable people who call these beautiful animals pests.....
I know what I would rather have in my garden.

Better Than Cromwell

Better Than Cromwell, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

After a lovely weekend we have rain again, the clouds drop and everything turns grey.
Corfe Castle just about survived Oliver Cromwell's attempt to erase it from view 350 years ago but it can't fight mother nature.

Red Moon

Red Moon, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

My first attempt at a red moon and I quite like it but I do need practise.
I didn't have long to play, so I shall try again the next time we get a good moon and see if I can improve.

Route to Old Harry

Route to Old Harry, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another beautiful, blue sky day with sea as calm as a mill pond. One of the plus points of being in a Kayak is that you can go places that other boats can't. There are several caves in the cliffs here and a few arches to squeeze through. You can get close enough to touch the cliffs and this really gives you a true idea how big they are.

Hedbury Cannon

Hedbury Cannon, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The cliffs along the Purbeck coast are home to several stone quarries, long since abandoned. Some are easily accessible some are a little more difficult. Hedbury quary is an easy one. There are many stories as to why Hedbury has a cannon, some say it was defence against Napoleon or French privateers. It was probably just ballast on a returning stone boat and the quarry manager thought that it looked cool and kept it. But nobody should let facts get in the way of a good story.

Smile Please

Smile Please, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This evenings walk was perfect, with bright sunshine and blue skies. Within the first first five minutes I was joined by this beautiful young lady.
The Roe deer of Purbeck are very special, the last survey claimed that there were only 29 of them.

......To The Weather

......To The Weather, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

After the day I've had, I really need a walk and so it rains.
Now, don't get me wrong, I really like walking in the rain. But since I have had my camera surgically implanted to my right hand I feel naked without it.
This is the back end of a Sika by the way and a memory of a much nicer day.

The Lesser of the Two

The Lesser of the Two, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is so nice to see the clear blue sky again after so many days of dull cloud and rain. A beautiful walk this evening took me through the reserve at Townsend. Lots of little birds for a change, plenty of noise and oplenty of movement.

Not Todays Weather

Not Todays Weather, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I have just been out in my kayak after a gap of too many months. I really enjoyed it, but the weather was almost exactly not like this.
Big seas, rain and wind made it interesting, but it meant that I couldn't take a photo. So I'm posting this one from a much nicer paddle.

Through The Grass

Through The Grass, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A Meadow Pipit, I think, caught in the grass before the rain came. We had a lovely day today, while I was in the office. Only to cloud over and rain just as I was ready for a wander.

Kwahadi Colour

Kwahadi Colour, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Saturday was the last day of the carnival. It is now time to grow up and act like a responsible adult again. (this isn't something that comes natural to me)

The Kwahadi Dancers performed a stunningly colourful show but unfortunately the light wasn't good due to the typical August weather.
They spent a little while chatting to the kids and although weren't here for long they seemed to enjoy themselves.

Vincent's House?

Vincent's House?, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.