Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Plenty of little bunnies around at the moment, they seem to be breeding like...erm...well...rabbits....

Cold Feet

Cold Feet, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Blue skies, a light breeze and small waves. Not good for surfers, but great if you are a Black Headed Gull and you need to wash your feet.

Sika. The Dog, Not The Deer

Sika. The Dog, Not The Deer, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Don't tell anyone, but I am a bit of a soft touch where animals are concerned. This is a new addition to our family and we are calling her Sika. I found her a couple of days ago, near a herd of deer that I was watching and spent quite a while sitting on the verge trying to get her to come to me. Eventually, she relented and came for a cuddle. She is a real beauty but very thin and rather timid. We have had all the checks done and put the word around in case someone has lost her.The original plan was to get her to a rescue kennels, but I'm not sure we can let her go now.

Little Voice

Little Voice, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

An early start this morning meant that I had the cliffs to myself for a while. It was far from quiet though, just about every little bird for miles around seemed to be singing his head off. The first culprit was this little Wren with a voice that was way too big for his body.

Early Purple

Early Purple, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

At this time of the year the Orchids start to appear. All of a sudden, these beautiful little flowers just seem to be everywhere.
I have never been very good with flowers, but I think this is an Early Puple Orchid.

Seeing Red

Seeing Red, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I can't have a walk without spending a little time in the company of a Robin. I post far too many pictures of them but they are just such wonderful sublects. This one was trying to win the 'loudest song' award.

Black & Blue

Black & Blue, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Hopefully, with the prospect of a fine weather weekend I shall get a little more time to play at being a photographer. Lately, I have been struggling to find the time to get out and about.

Sleep

Sleep, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Half way up the cliffs is ,maybe, not the best place to get some shut eye but it works for some. One of the local Shags prepares to bed down for the night.

Night Hawk

Night Hawk, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another shot of the Kestrel. It is nice to think that this is one of last years and we can look forward to another show this summer.

Night Hawk

Night Hawk, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Last year we spent quite a while watching a family of Kestrels. Tonight, as the Sun was setting, this one returned to the same spot.

Crowds

Crowds, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The promise of a beautiful, warm, sunny weekend really brings the crowds to town. Even when the streets, pubs and beaches are busy there is usually a quiet corner to be found if you look hard enough.

Lady Bird

Lady Bird, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

We sat watching this Blackbrd for quite a while. They are often overlooked, but have wondefrul markings.

Dribble

Dribble, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Well, I suppose even Swans can't look perfect all the time...

The Ledge

The Ledge, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I have been after a decent shot of the Guillemot ledge for a while and now it is starting to fill up. You really have to dangle over the edge of the cliff a little if you want to get anywhere near, otherwise you end up with a shot of a lot of little black blobs. Luckily there was a lifeboat about just in case I fell off.

Four Eyes

Four Eyes, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This has to be my favourite time of the day. The Sun is just touching the hills in the west and everything is golden. The evening is full of bird song at the moment but it didn't stop these two young Roe deer from chilling out. A fine end to the day.

Light & Shade

Light & Shade, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Walking amongst the trees when the Sun shines brings its own troubles. Taking shots of speedy little birds can be difficult enough, but trying to catch them as they dodge between light and shade is, well, lots of fun.....

Peacock

Peacock, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

An, all too brief chance to escape today, but the weather made up for it as the Sun was warm and the sky was blue. Not too many butterflies around here at the moment, but there are a few Peacocks.

Roe Deer Rescue #1

Roe Deer Rescue #1, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A little bit of action on the cliffs tonight, just as the Sun went down. The local inshore lifeboat was called to rescue a Roe deer that had decided to get stuck half way down. The deer was to be released just along the coast where, fingers crossed, it can beat the odds and make a full recovery.

Roe Deer Rescue #2

Roe Deer Rescue #2, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A little bit of action on the cliffs tonight, just as the Sun went down. The local inshore lifeboat was called to rescue a Roe deer that had decided to get stuck half way down. The deer was to be released just along the coast where, fingers crossed, it can beat the odds and make a full recovery.

Roe Deer Rescue #3

Roe Deer Rescue #3, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A little bit of action on the cliffs tonight, just as the Sun went down. The local inshore lifeboat was called to rescue a Roe deer that had decided to get stuck half way down. The deer was to be released just along the coast where, fingers crossed, it can beat the odds and make a full recovery.

The Look

The Look, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Jackdaw is another favourite, with the best 'rock hard stare' in the business. Quite a few out on the cliffs tonight, hurling themselves off and catching the air at the last minute. Makes the gulls look like Sunday drivers.

If Singing Makes You Happy, Then Sing

If Singing Makes You Happy, Then Sing, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Plenty of noise in the trees tonight, about an hour before the Sun when down. But the winner was, as always, the Robin. But then, if I could sing like him you wouldn't be able to shut me up either.

The Hole In The Hedge Gang

The Hole In The Hedge Gang, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The last shot of the day was of this chap, a young Roe deer buck trying to hide behind a hedge. Luckily, I used the same hole in the hedge that he did.

Velvet Buck

Velvet Buck, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I can't have a good walk without see these. The Purbeck Roe Deer are just about ready for summer. There new coats are pretty well sorted, the only thing now is to unwrap there new antlers. There are some very healthy looking Bucks around at the moment, which should help to protect such a small population.

Steady Feet

Steady Feet, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There are so many little birds around at the moment, flitting from bush to bush. I was quite pleased to find another couple of Dartford Warblers, but after spending way too long trying and failing to get a decent shot I concentrated on the Dunnocks. One of my favourite little birds, and always pleased to pose.

The Dartford Road

The Dartford Road, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Not the finest shot of a Dartford Warbler, but this is the best I have managed so far. There are not too many of these around here, so when I saw one from the car I just had to try and get a closer look.

Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Things haven't really changed much over the last 130 years or so. There are still too many signs telling you what you can and can't do. Now, I don't tend to interfere with shrubs, flowers or birds as a rule, but I do like to wander off the beaten path every now and again. So, three out of four isn't too bad....

Busy Bee

Busy Bee, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Finally, a beautiful, blue sky day. And all of a sudden people seem to out-number the birds and beasties. I'm not complaining, we need all the visitors we can get, but it does mean that I have to find other places to hide. It also means that as my larger subjects fly, run or slither away I have to concentrate on the smaller residents.

The Old Man

The Old Man, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I haven't seen this chap for a while. He is the head honcho around here and is getting on a bit. All the local Roe Deer are looking a little rough around the dges at the moment, but this one has a fine set of antlers, at least.

First Willow Warbler?

First Willow Warbler?, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

At least, that is what I think it is. A very heavy crop on this one, there was two of them and they were quite far away. But, pale legs = Warbler apparently, so unless any of you birders can confirm this as a Chiffchaff (which are also here) I'm going to stick my neck out.

Rain Stopped Play

Rain Stopped Play, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I was like a bear with a sore head this morning until finally, the rain stopped. After a week of bad weather and the prospect of a rather soggy long weekend the skies suddenly cleared and the Sun came out. Well, that was enough for me, I was out of the door and on the cliffs almost before my boots were laced up.

Location, Location, Location

Location, Location, Location, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Purbeck Cliffs are always a great place to be, but in the Spring there is so much going on. Herring Gulls have always been a favourite of mine, they have the most expressive faces. Not easy for a bird..