If the current weather conditions continue into the weekend you may be subjected to more of these.
Another shot taken in December last year when we had snow and blue skies. I can hardly remember what a blue sky looks like!
Thursday, 29 December 2011
More Weather
Weather
With the wind and rain making it difficult to get any shots of the Purbeck coast, I thought I would post some from a more picturesque time. This is the Anvil Point Lighthouse taken in December last year and looks almost exactly not how it looked this morning!
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Nothing
Well, another grey day with even less Sun than yesterday and I am getting a little desperate.
All the usual suspects were out and about, which is always good to see, but unfortunately there wasn't a decent photograph amongst the dozens that I still managed to take.
Just for the record the horizon, from this point, is about 14 miles away. That is an awful lot of nothing!
Monday, 26 December 2011
Keep Warm and Keep Your Eyes Open
After the excesses of yesterday it was good to get out and about this morning. The weather was not great again though, very grey and overcast with very little Sun.
There was one very brief break in the clouds which gve me just enoug time to catch a Kestrel with a lot on his mind.
Plenty of people on the cliffs looking out for Dolphins too, after they had been spotted again last week but as usual, Dolphins don't turn up when you want them to.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Crowds
Apart from a very helpful Robin, the only other willing model was this Chaffinch.
The Bullfinch that I tried to follow was too quick for me, the lone Fulmar that swept along the cliffs was strangley out of focus and the Dolphins didn't even bother to show up!
The Perfect Pose?
You can always rely on a Robin to ham it up when your struggling for a decent shot!
I can spend hours with these chaps.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Merry Christmas
Well, work is over for while but, as is usually the case, I haven't been able to get much snapping done.
So, just in case I can't get a more seasonal shot, this will have to do.
Sika, Benny and I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday.
Cheers
Saturday, 17 December 2011
ChiffChat
This little chap was very flighty and not at all keen on sitting still. I always get these mixed up with various Warblers but I think it is a Chiffchaff. I couldn't ask him, he wouldn't let me get a word in.
Poser
It never seems to take long for a Robin to realise you are taking photographs. Not that I am complaining, these are lovely little birds and always fun to have around.
Smile And Wave
The Purbeck coast has taken a bit of a hammering this week and the seas were still pretty rough today. The view from the cliffs here is always spectacular but when the waves try to reach the footpath at the top and the accompanying roar sounds like cannon fire it can just about take your breath away.
When the weather is this good you can see for miles. The Lighthouse at The Needles on the Isle of Wight is visible in the distance and that is about 18 miles east of here. From Durlston Castle, on top of the cliffs, you can see chimneys almost twice as far as that!
Friday, 16 December 2011
Fish For Lunch
I don't walk along river banks often enough and that is something I intend to do something about next year. We spent a good couple of hours following the Kingfishers today, they really are an incredible bird and the winter sun really makes the colours shine.
Concentration
The Kingfisher is another bird that I have great fun trying to photograph.
I don't see them often and rarely close enough to get a reasonable shot. They look their best in the sunshine too which means that the river has to be in the right place!!
Oh yes, a good perch too and a helpful fish and no twigs in the way and no shadows and no walkers or dogs or other birds....
Apart from all that, the're a doddle!
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Meadow Pipit's Mate
There was not a lot of choice in the small bird department, most of them seemed to have more sense and stayed out of the wind. I decided to follow a small group of Meadow Pipits for a while and was surprised to find a single Dartford Warbler tagging on to them.
Cheeky
It seems so long since I managed to get out with the camera for a proper wander. Not quite the best weather for it, but nothing was going to stop me getting out and I was decidedly trigger happy! Nothing was safe and no amount of wind or rain would stop me snapping away. I was even happy to be mooned by a family of Sika!
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Big Mouth
By far the noisiest bird this morning was this chap and he spent a fair amount of time making sure we didn't forget.
Small Birds and Poor Reflexes
After a week without any chance to pick up the camera it was good to get out today, even though I only had a hour or so.
Plenty of little birds around, which is always a good thing, even if my hit rate was a little low!
Luckily, the Dunnock is always ready to pose for a while.
Monday, 5 December 2011
Flight Of A Purbeck Kite
Over the last few years there have been quite a few reported sightings of Red Kites above the Isle of Purbeck but I have seen only one and that was a long way away.
Today, with the help of the last few rays of sun before it was hidden by black clouds, I got a much better view.
Wind Blown
I didn't get much time to take shots of this Red Kite but it was great to watch it twist and turn in the wind.
Here, high above the ranges at the western end of the Isle of Purbeck, it was possible to get eye-level with this beautiful bird.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The Rear Guard
The Priest's Way is an ancient footpath that leads from Worth to Swanage and is a lovely walk even on a dull, grey, cloudy day. This morning was especially dull and grey, making it difficult to take shots of the Roe Deer that wouldn't let me get very close at all.
Finally, I tried to get a shot of a herd of cows all lined up with there backs to me (don't ask me why) but that wasn't to be either.
Some days are more difficult than others..
Saturday, 3 December 2011
More Drive-by Shootings
I know I keep saying this, but there is very little time during the week to take photographs and I have to take a shot whenever I can.
Yesterdays target was a young Fox that looked in very good condition but was very timid.
Always lovely to see a wild Fox in its own environment though.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Reds On Reds
The Robin will always be one of my favourite little birds and I have great fun taking pictures of them.
This one was happy to pose for quite a while whilst I snapped away.
Still Hanging On
So, it's the 27th of November, Christmas is just around the corner and pub chat is pondering the chances of snow before too long.
However, this Red Admiral obviously didn't have a calendar and he seemed to be enjoying the Sun.
It's A Big, Big World
There were plenty of people out and about on the cliffs today, encouraged by the beautiful weather and a recently reopened castle, perhaps.
Still, there is always a chance to find your own little space, away from the crowds, to think your own thoughts.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Golds And Greens
I couldn't just post one shot of the Goldcrests. After years of trying to get a good enough picture, I am rather pleased with these.
Ivy League
The Goldcrest has been at the top of my hit list for many years. I have lost count of all the 'almost' shots I have of this quick, tiny little bird.
This morning, I managed to spend about half an hour in the company of a small group of them.
Good Morning World
Not a great deal of time to wander today, which was a shame because Durlston was looking beautiful in the early morning sunshine.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Red, Red Robin
Every now and again, our little feathered friends do us a favour by sitting quite happily in front of a lovely background. I would like to thank the Robin for being patient and Halfords for supplying the background.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Day Three In Firecrest World
I have spent a fair amount of time over the last three days bugging these tiny little birds and I think I should leave them be for a while. Today, there were at least half a dozen Firecrests and a few Goldcrests (my next target perhaps) and they are great fun to watch and photograph.
Top Heavy
The speed at which the Firecrests dart through the trees and bushes is amazing. Trying to second guess their movements is almost impossible and it is so hard keeping a constant eye on your light. I have taken hundreds of shots that were either too dark or completely blown out because these little chaps flit in and out of the shadows.
That said, I have really enjoyed myself over the last three days.
The Rock Room
Today was a very special day for me as, completely unexpectedly, I found that Durlston Castle were selling Palmer's Copper Ale!
Drinking a pint in the Autumn sunshine on the terrace, overlooking what must be one of the finest views in the country was just about perfect.
One of the other 'must see' parts of the castle is The Rock Room, a beautifully lit treasure for any fossil nerd like me.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Small Birds, Big Twiggs
When you are trying to photograph tiny birds, even the smallest twigs get in the way.
Photograph number two of my obsession with the local Firecrest and Goldcrest population.
A little more time is needed I think.
The Lookout
Durlston Castle visitors were not the only ones enjoying the view today, this Kestrel was quite happy to sit and sway in the breeze.
View From The Terrace
After many years and quite a large lump of cash Durlston Castle has finally reopened (although there is still work to do) and it is stunning! This is a view from the rear of the castle over the bays to the north and it is hard to imagine a place with a better one.
When all the building work is finished and the castle is fully open it will be even more spectacular.
Friday, 18 November 2011
Fun With The Firecrests
I have never seen a Firecrest before and they, as well as the Goldcrest, have been at the top of my hit list for a while.
There was a flock of about ten birds (although I don't know how many were Firecrests and how many were Goldcrests) bouncing through the trees and keeping to the shadows.
After mainy failed attempts at a reasonable shot I decided to use the flash. Not easy with the big lens and it has made for a terrible background, but I am quite chuffed with this one.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Badly Named Birds
Today was another one of those 'can't take a photograph to save my life' days. Everything was either too far away, too quick or out of focus (and I really hate those out of focus birds).
This is a Tree Creeper and they really should be called Tree Chargingaboutneverstayingstill..er.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Dull and Overcast
Not just the weather forecast! This is Corfe Castle desperately trying to stay visible in the decending gloom. Still an impressive collection of stones and still a fine landmark for the trip home.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Young Minds
Sika have a very curious nature and will often take a step towards you, perhaps to get a better look, before they disappear.
Bling
There are plenty of Sika on the Isle of Purbeck, a lot more than the more timid Roe deer, but they are always good to see.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Keeping An Eye Open
Just to the right of the Peregrine was another, sat on a rock screaming for attention.
He kept his distance while she made short work of what looked like the tastier parts of a pigeon.
Go On, Take It! I Dare You!
Even though this is a bit of a tight crop and the Peregrine was quite a way away, there was a still a real authority in her eyes.
Probably the number one predater on the cliffs (the Black Backed Gull may give it a run for its money though ) the other birds scatter until she has found breakfast.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Short Legs or Tall Grass?
As the weather has been so bad lately I thought I would post another shot from my Roe trip on Sunday.
This little chap still has some growing to do.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Mission Accomplished
I was a little bit disappointed not to see any Roe Deer on my walk this morning and so I went for another this afternoon.
My reward was to find four of what are easily my favourite animals to photograph.
This young chap was very timid and, even though his mum was only a few feet from him, he didn't hang around for long.
Parachutes
These fun guys were found by a member of the Dorset Fungus Group who were out and about on one of there regular foray trips.
So, never one to miss a photo opportunity, I took a few snaps and then forgot to ask what they were called.
More info about the Dorset Fungus Group can be found here:
www.dorsetfungusgroup.com
Pasty Substitute
On a beautiful, if slightly breezy, blue sky morning todays wander was always going to good. There was plenty of noise coming from the hedgerows, but it was difficult to get good view of the birds that seemed to be sheltering from the wind. No Roe Deer around either, which is always disappointing.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
The Fisher King
Always good to see a Kingfisher and even better when they sit for a while and let you snap away.
He even turned around for a front view which was very nice of him.
Flashback
With very little time, during the week, to take photographs I tend to grab every chance I get. Today, just before a meeting, I had a chance to spend a couple of minutes watching this Kingfisher as he darted along the river.
He landed quite close but although the far bank of the river was in full Sun, the branch he sat on was shaded.
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