Blending In

Blending In, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is easy to miss these ladies and gents. Pheasants, especially the females, are tailor-made for blending into the Heather.

Floating Castle

Floating Castle, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

At this time of year, the mists rise and can take hours to clear. One of the most magical sights on the Purbeck is that of Corfe Castle slowly regaining its dominance over the Isle. Not a bad way to start the day.

Winter Coat & Woodpecker

Winter Coat & Woodpecker, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Roe deer are all looking a bit rough at the moment. They are losing there beautiful summer coats and will soon be a bit duller and a bit warmer.
The Woodpecker popped up just the deer walked past.

Less Time At The Playground

Less Time At The Playground, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The light starts to go way too early at this time of year.I don't get as much chance to just sit and watch. This is the view from the hills behind my house, somewhere I spend a lot of time and somewhere I miss when I can't get there.

Early Mornings

Early Mornings, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Well, I 'm back home now and going through the shots I have taken over the weekend. There weren't too many, it's quite hard to focus when you are testing so many beers. Camping at this time of the year is interesting to say the least, we had just about every type of weather going. This was taken early, on a very cold morning.

Ready For My Close Up

Ready For My Close Up, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A closs crop of the previous shot, because I'm just a sucker for a pretty face.

Uncommonly Common

Uncommonly Common, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I haven't seen many lizards this year, so I was quite happy when I literally stumbled across this one. A bit of a chilly day, so he was a little sluggish and seemed happy to pose.

Pot of Gold

Pot of Gold, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

We are on our annual pilgrimage to the Abbfest beer festival in Devon. Now, the weather isn't great but that won't stop us having fun. This was the view from the tent this afternoon. The beer festival is roughly at the end of the rainbow....

Double Jay

Double Jay, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One from my wander this morning. The Jay is a bird that I really struggle with, so I was quite pleased with these too. A little bit dull, as the rain was about to start.

Choppy

Choppy, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This was the reason why the Waverley kept to calmer waters. There was a yacht race along the coast today and quite a few of the boats found it difficult rounding the head at Durlston. Spinnakers were collapsing and twisting giving the sailors a bit of a hard time. Didn't see any capsize, although some came quite close.

P.S.Waverley

P.S.Waverley, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A welcome visitor to The Purbeck is the paddle steamer Waverley, the last operational Clyde built steamer. Great to see here and although the rough seas put paid to its voyage along the Dorset coast it still managed a cruise around the bays towards the Isle of Wight.

Look Into My Eyes

Look Into My Eyes, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of spiders, but they are amazing to watch. This one was sat in the middle of a very large web, busily eating a caterpillar. Quite frankly, it's enough to put you off your tea!

The Gruffalo Pool

The Gruffalo Pool, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I really tried to get a shot of this with a perfect reflection. Unfortunately there was a rather lovely Collie having a swim, great to watch though, although a shot of the Gruffalo would have been cool.

Purbeck Osprey

Purbeck Osprey, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A first for me, I have never seen an Osprey down here before. A bit of a lucky sighting, we watched it circle above the pond, gaining height, then it disappeared in the direction of Poole Harbour.

Pause

Pause, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Plenty of Commas about at the moment, plenty of berries too. The Sloes have been picked ready for the Gin and the blackberries gathered, ready for the crumble. I just love this time of year, there is always something to eat while you are taking pictures.

Good Morning

Good Morning, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With the evenings drawing in there is less time to get out and about. So when I see something on the way to work that I can wave my camera at, it is difficult to drive by. Not much legwork involved in this one then, but a few stolen minutes spent with a Sika stag is never a bad thing.

Not A Swallow

Not A Swallow, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One of the most striking and memorable parts of yesterdays wander was the incredible amount of Swallows and Martins that hugged the cliff tops in a constant stream. Over 3000 birds an hour were counted by the rangers at Durlston. I lost count of the number of shots I took, but all were blurred. Luckily, this little chap (a young Stonechat I think, but feel free to correct that) was quite a bit slower.

Early Mornings

Early Mornings, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Well, what a difference a day makes. Yesterday morning was beautiful. A few wispy clouds, bright blue sky and a breath of wind. Today is gloomy, grey and damp.

Breakfast

Breakfast, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One of the finest walks I have had for a long time after a reasonably early start (for a Sunday anyway). The weather was perfect and there was plenty to see on land, at sea and in the skies. Coffee and a bacon sandwich at the end just about rounded things off.

Stately

Stately, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

After a bit of an absence, maybe due to the meadows being cut, I finally found who I was looking for. In the peak of condition, he is ready to take over from the Old Man, who's time is numbered I'm afraid. This has been a good year for the Roe Deer, fingers crossed that it continues.

Pheasant Plucker

Pheasant Plucker, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

As Folk Weekend tumbles and lollops along, certain questions need answering. These include:

1. How long does it take to get face-paint out of your ears?
2. Why do you spend so much effort dressing up and dancing and then forget to smile?
3. What happens to the rest of the Pheasant?

These have been mulled over for many a minute accompanied by several pints of the aforementioned real ale but without suitable explanations.

Nowt As Queer As Folk

Nowt As Queer As Folk, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Folk Weekend that is! Two days of bells, sticks, face-paint and funny hats. There are several benefits that these travelling frog-hoppers bring to the town. Apart from the crowds and colours, my local has no less than twelve real ales behind the bar! On Monday morning I shall probably look a little like this chap.....

The Rut

The Rut, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

September is usually about the time when the Sika stags start getting a little frisky. They are fully tooled up and spend a fair amount of time showing off. Now is the time for the Rut. Lots of scraping the ground with your hooves and a constant whack and creak from interlocking antlers.
This was taken in the depths of the wood, so the light wasn't great, but it gives an idea of the power of these young males.

No Time

No Time, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

In a world obsessed with clock watching it is nice to forget the minute hand and follow the only important time-piece.
I don't wear a watch, (while I am at work I am slave to time) when I am home I am let off the lead.

Dorset Gold

Dorset Gold, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With all the grass cutting that is going at the moment, the local Roe Deer are proving difficult to find. It has been a good year for them though, with several sets of twins and well as the single youngsters.
Without the deer, evening walks are still far from boring.

The Journey To Work

The Journey To Work, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I always find that the journey to work is improved if you have the right company. For just a little while, this morning, these two made it a real pleasure. I post quite a few Sika shots, but I never get tired of seeing them or taking there picture. (a chain saw would have been handy, to get rid of the tree, but I'm not sure they would have hung around quite as long if I'd had one).

Evening Exercises # 1 Birth of a Boat

Evening Exercises # 1 Birth of a Boat, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Quite a common sight above Studland Bay on the Isle of Purbeck is the circling of a Hercules packed with Royal Marines and there kit. This time, a boat popped out of the back and made the decent to the sea.

Evening Exercises #2 Free Fall

Evening Exercises #2 Free Fall, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A Royal Marines boat quickly falls to the sea. The Hercules that carried this was not very high, and so it only takes a few seconds.

Evening Exercises #3 Taking The Plunge

Evening Exercises #3 Taking The Plunge, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

After the boat is kicked out, the rest of the cargo follows. The parachutes barely have enough time to inflate before the Marines hit the waves. Great to watch, this goes on in just about any weather, day or night.

Red & Blackberries

Red & Blackberries, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is going to be a good year for berries this year, the hedgerows are almost bursting. Isn't that a sign of a bad winter to come?

Prime Subject

Prime Subject, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is always a treat to see these. The Purbeck Roe Deer is a little elusive and you have to keep your eyes open. Unlike the Sika, these are very timid and don't tend to hang about.

Hide & Sika

Hide & Sika, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I don't usually do hides, I'm afraid I haven't got the patience. I prefer to spend hours getting closer to wildlife in there environment than sitting in a shed. But, there are times when I can be converted. Recently, after a tip-off, I have been inhabiting 'Kingfisher Towers' and it has given results. You don't need a hide to see Sika, but when things were quiet, this one was welcome company.

Lonely

Lonely, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

As the Sun went down on another beautiful blue sky day the only sounds were the rustling of dying Sunflowers and the haunting whistle of Sika settling for the night. It is easy to spend too much time in a place like this, leaving only when I have to and not when I want to.

Wellington Sunset

Wellington Sunset, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

More time spent as the Sun sets, this time on the sea shore by the Wellington Tower. The Marines were preparing to jump from a circling Hercules high above the town and the Lifeboat crews were making the worsening seas look a little safer.