Head To Head

Head To Head, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The highlight of the day, by a long way, was this curious young lady. A little bit of an Adder-fest at Durlston today, with at least eight sunning themselves.

More Herrings

More Herrings, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Not an awful lot going on at the cliffs today. A few Fulmars, but I can't take shots of them and, of course, Herrings Gulls. I never get bored of these, I think they have very expressive faces.

Signs Of Spring

Signs Of Spring, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It was nice to be out today, after a week of bad weather. The Sun was out, the sky was blue and all was fine with the world. Signs of Spring are appearing at every turn, too. All we need now are a few more days like this

A Private Moment

A Private Moment, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another young Roe deer, which should help to keep the small Purbeck herd going even though we lost a young buck a couple of weeks ago. I always get a buzz when I see these, even though I manage to catch a glimpse most days. There were two here today and that made a rather soggy walk a lot more enjoyable.

Low Light, Long Tail

Low Light, Long Tail, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Somebody, and I'm not mentioning any names, came to the Purbecks this morning and used up all the good light. That meant, by the time I managed to get out, all I got was rain.
Plenty of little birds about though, so after half an hour getting very wet, I managed to get few shots of a flock of Long Tailed Tits.

Double Trouble

Double Trouble, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I don't take enough pictures of Swans, which is a shame as they are always so photogenic. Two Mute Swans, taken this afternoon, part of a group of more than thirty. Always good to see.

Big, Big World

Big, Big World, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A beautiful, blue sky day and a full work diary! So, continuing my well known history of workaholism, I made sure the appointments I had took me past a few local places of interest. This Little Grebe, looking tiny amonst the ducks, made my first meeting a little bit more interesting.

Drive-By Shooting

Drive-By Shooting, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I just don't have the time for photography at the moment, work just gets in the way. So, drive-bys are all I can manage during the week. Although it does help to have a rough idea where the victims are! Luckily this young Roe buck was happy enough to hang around for a couple of quick shots.

Local Geology

Local Geology, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I spent the afternoon under the cliffs in Durlston Bay, with a local expert, checking over the rock falls and generally making a nuisance of myself. As usual, we were soon joined by a few other local experts, half a dozen Rock Pippets followed us up and down the shore.

Westward

Westward, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Swyre Head, the western ridge of the Golden Bowl at Encombe is a little bit special. The view from here is incredible, whether you look East or West, but, in my opinion, West is best.
The Encombe Estate was put on the market a couple of years ago for £25 million. The house, hidden away in the bowl, is quite nice and the stables are ok. The cottages have a certain charm and courtyard could hold quite a few Range Rovers! But, if all that is just beyond your means, this view is free.

Sunbathing

Sunbathing, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A place out of the wind and a little Sun is often enough to bring out at least a couple of Adders even when it is cold. Two females were out today, not very big, just a couple of feet long, but great to see anyway.

Colour Matched

Colour Matched, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

An almost perfect day today, weather wise at least, bright blue skies, but with a strong wind that cut through you like a razor blade. Because of this, I suppose, everything was pretty well hunkered down amongst the branches keeping warm. Lots of noise from this Great Tit though, and he did blend in quite well.

I'm No Wildlife Expert, But...

I'm No Wildlife Expert, But..., originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

....I think I might have been spotted.
A lovely group of Sika looking ever so slightly puzzled by the idiot in shirt sleeves trying to take a picture in between shivers!

Stealth

Stealth, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another shot taken on the way home tonight, as the Sun was going down. This Heron seemed to glide through the grass. Great to watch, but I didn't see him catch anything.

The Flluke

The Flluke, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This is by far the closest I have ever got to a Sparrowhawk. I was sat in a layby, talking on the phone when he sat on a nearby fence post. So, like a true workaholic, I dropped the phone and grabbed the camera. I only managed a shot through the glass, which was a shame, but as soon as I opened the window he flew off.

One Less Twin

One Less Twin, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Sat just thirty feet from his brother, this young Roe deer is no longer a twin. For the last nine months they were inseperable. It is sometimes hard enough to accept when nature controls such a small population, but when a death is not a natural event, I really struggle.

February Adders

February Adders, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Give them a little bit of Sun and that is enough excuse for these Adders to come out for a cuddle. A large female and a male soak up as much heat as they can get.

I Ain't Seen Nothin

I Ain't Seen Nothin, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

To me, Jackdaws are the Mafia of the bird world. Impeccably dressed, they walk with a swagger and hang around in gangs. Great to watch, but don't get in there way. And certainly don't leave a sandwich on the wall while you taking pictures.

Barbed

Barbed, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There seem to be plenty of Buzzards around this Winter but that can never be a bad thing. Today was another one of those wonderful, cold, blue sky days. Unfortunately, work is getting in the way so I didn't manage to take any shots, this is one from last week.