Give them a little Sun and the Tilly Whim Adders will almost certainly make an appearance. They are always good to see but for most of the time you are lucky to a shot of grass with a bit of snake in it!
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Black, White, Blue and Brown
A Black-backed Gull, a setting Sun, choppy water and distant reed beds!
There really wasn't a great deal else going on so I was quite happy to see this, it gave me something to aim at!
Precarious Perch
Like any other walker I am fully aware of the existance of Gorse! No matter what I am wearing or where I decide to go I end up discovering just how sharp the needles are!
The Robin seemed a little more at ease with it!
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Small Bird, Slow Speeds
There was just a single Goldcrest in the trees, doing its best to keep out of sight! It was very gloomy but I couldn't move on without taking a few pics. Out of a couple of dozen shots, there was one that I was quite pleased with.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Meet The Twins
It was a real pleasure to see these two again today. There was the full family of Roe deer, the stag (with a set of velvet covered antlers) the mother, a two year old female and these two.
Not a bad start to the morning.
All Gold
I just managed to catch this tonight, but only after upsetting several other road users. I don't really know why they complained, I was only in the middle of the road for 1:300th of a second or so....
View On Black and large
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Runaround
It wasn't easy following a small flock of Fieldfares! A skittish bird at the best of times, today had the added distraction of a controlled explosion by the Royal Navy Bomd Disposal chaps, a whistling dog walker and a single, battered Red Admiral butterfly! The butterfly didn't actually disturb the birds, but it surprised me! Butterflies in January?
Winter Reds
Another bird that I have wanted to get closer too, and another bird that proved too difficult.
There are plenty of Redwings around at the moment, but not many willing to pose.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Lunch & A Large Bill
I don't spend enough time taking shots of wading birds even though I live so close to Poole Harbour. Following a rather well timed meeting I managed to spend a little bit of time watching the Godwits, Oyster Catchers, Turnstones and Sandpipers searching for the neext juicy worm. Next time, I need a bit more Sun.
More Corfe
There are so many fine views of Corfe Castle and these all change as the sun makes its way across the sky. This was taken on a stormy day, just before sunset.
Fly Past
On days when birds and animals prefer to hide away out of the wind, there are always the Gulls.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Cream Teas & Cromwell
It is not hard to imagine what Corfe Castle would have looked like if Oliver Cromwell hadn't have got his way. On a beautiful blue sky day, the Purbeck has several 'must go' places, but today we spent a very nice few hours following the deer and the Redwings. There was even a chance for a cream tea and a history lesson!
Jenny & The Stick
It is so easy to get carried away when you have such a cute little model to play with. We spent about half an hour with this little Wren, then time caught up with us and we had to move on.
I would like to think that we were both a little bit disappointed to finish the game.
Whatever The Wren Can Do, I can Do Better
You can always rely on a Robin to pose and, even though most of the time my camera was pointing at a Wren, I just can't resist a Robin.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Double Trouble
With two Peregrines on the cliffs this morning the local pigeons were forced to keep their eyes open.
On a cold, cloudy morning, with the only sun shining way out on the horizon, these two really brightened things up a bit.
Eye Contact
The stare of a Peregrine is enough to send a chill down your spine, even if you are looking through a long lens!
Friday, 13 January 2012
Mists and Rivers
When the winter mists rise from the lowlands the Isle of Purbeck really does become an island.
Where there is mist there is mystery and once familiar land becomes new and unreliable , playing tricks with your senses and giving you the feeling that perhaps your are not quite as safe as you thought you were.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
More Flash and More Castle
This time, the flash was set off half way through a 6 second exposure. It was placed behind the railings to the right of the entrance.
I think I prefer the other shot!
Castle Lights
I have been wanting to take night shots of Durlston Castle for a while but the weather had to be right.
I didn't realise that there were 'goings on' going on and that meant cars parked too close.
Anyway, it was great fun.
This one is a 6 second exposure, 200 @ F6.3 and no flash.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Shameless Advertising
Our three calendars have done really well this year but there are still a few left, available from the website (www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk) or at Durlston Country Park near Swanage.
Thank you to everyone that has bought a calendar, I know there are hundreds out there to choose from and I feel privileged that you chose mine.
Thanks also for taking an interest in my blog and for all of your comments.
I hope you all have a fine 2012.
Julian
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Fungi Stalking
In woodland positvely teaming with very noisy and very active birds, I decided to use my incredible tracking skills on a very shy group of fungi!
Just call me Bear Grylls...
Still No Lunch
This is one of our local Peregrines doing its best not to do anything interesting. She (I think) was quite close but refused to rip apart a pigeon or stretch her wings or yawn or anything.
Still, lovely to see, even without the Sun.
Durlston Castle
It is a bit of a challenge to get a shot of Durlston Castle, without people in front, these days.
The sun had just started to creep towards the front of the castle as another group desended the path towards me.
I would have prefered a more dramatic sky, but I quite like shot.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Grumpy
Not every one was happy with the weather! This little Firecrest was very unhappy and made it very clear that he didn't want his photo taken!
Concrete Pipit
One of the prettiest little birds that you see on the shore is the Rock Pipit. This one followed us along the beach for an hour and was very patient.
U.F.O.
A strange golden ball was seen in the sky today and it played havoc with my camera. Settings that I hadn't used for ages were suddenly needed and I had to brush up on old skills.
Luckily, the Moorhen was happy to watch me try and take photos.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Far From The Madding Crowd
Again the weather was against me and so again I had to go looking for easier targets. There were far too many people around today and, like the Sika, I left the popular tracks and headed to the more secluded areas.There were six or seven young females here and it was very easy to relax and enjoy the company.
Gloom And Ruins
As the new year dawned it was obvious that the weather was not going to be kind again. Trying to take shots of moving animals or birds when the light is this bad is no fun at all and so I relied on a more sedentary target. Corfe Catle hasn't moved much in about 1000 years (apart from the bits that have fallen off). Tomorrow there is the promise of some much needed Sun and so I will try again then.
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Quiet but never silent.
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I missed the Sun this morning, not because I was late but because the early wander was done and dusted by the time the clouds cleared. When...
