Barely A Ripple

Barely A Ripple, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Two Great Crested Grebes made there way sedately across the water causing an ever increasing tear in an otherwise perfectly unbroken surface.

Calm

Calm, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

There was barely a ripple to disturb the peace of Littlesea this morning. With the occasional cry of a Green Woodpecker and the squable of a small group of Jays it was a wonderful place to spend some time.

Over The Balloon

Over The Balloon, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

A flock of fifty or so Brent Geese took to the air, very briefly, when they were disturbed by a boat. A few flypasts later they settled again and stayed in the shade of the cliffs.

Weather Forecast

Weather Forecast, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

There are, of course, many ways to tell if the Sun is shining. One of my favourites is to watch the Adders as they position themselves for maximum exposure.
An easier way would be to look at the sky, I suppose...

Flocks of Fields

Flocks of Fields, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

There are quite a few large flocks of Feildfare around at the moment, but I don't find them an easy subject.
Lovely markings too, but much better when the Sun is out.

Paranoia

Paranoia, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Do you know that funny feeling you get when you think you are being watched?
This was the view out of my car window whilst I was making a phone call this afternoon and it was a little unnerving .
Now, I am almost certain that I haven't upset the armed forces enough to launch an Apache attack, but you never know!

Mother & Child Reunion #2

Mother & Child Reunion #2, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

It is always good to see the next generation grow and thrive. This is one of last years young Roe looking fit and healthy

Mother & Child Reunion #1

Mother & Child Reunion #1, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Finding my favourite young mother wasn't difficult, but getting close to her was. I forget that these are wild animals and just because I have got close before doesn't mean that she will tollerate me again. It is hard not to feel disappointed though.

Cold Shoulder

Cold Shoulder, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

The Dartford Warbler is a lovely little bird with an equally lovely attitude..
Great fun to be around.

Saturday Morning Dartfords

Saturday Morning Dartfords, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

I found a place during the week that seemed quite popular with Dartford Warblers and decided to go beack when the weather was fine. We had just a couple of hours of sun before the rain set in but it was more than enough time to get aquainted. At least half a dozen Dartfords were here, as well a few Goldcrests. Not a bad morning!

Come On You Reds

Come On You Reds, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Lunch time on the Isle of Wight was a real treat as I was joined by a Red Squirrel, something that I haven't seen since I was a youngster.
The light was terrible and the shutter speeds were slow but luckily the site of a 6'4" nut in shirt sleeves on a cold day froze him to the spot!
I can't tell you how chuffed I was to see this!

Of Ice & Rock

Of Ice & Rock, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

As always, the beautiful Rock Pipits escorted us around the bay at Kimmeridge. A few Wagtails were there as well as a couple of Mallards and a Pochard swimming in a very chilly sea.

More Follys Please

More Follys Please, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

The 180 year old Clavell Tower sits rather nicely on the cliffs at Kimmeridge.
At least it does now that it has been rebuilt further from the edge!
We have a few of these kind of aged structures on the Purbeck, built to show how much money you have rather than anything else, I expect.
Now, I know that it is important to regulate and control new builds these days, but I think it is a shame that we do not seem to be leaving many truly iconic buildings for our great, great grandchildren to marvel at!
All of our famous historic structures(from Stonehenge to Big Ben) did not 'fit in' to their environment when they were first built but are reckognised as gems now.
I am not too sure that the Clavell Tower would have got planning permission today!

King Of The Hill

King Of The Hill, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

One thing I really like about this time of the year is that it is perfectly acceptable to take far too many Robin shots.

Small Homes

Small Homes, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Luckily, you don't need a large house if you are only small.
Somewhere, within the stump of an old tree, was the des res of a Wren.
Not a lot of space, but a fine view...

A Touch of Frost

A Touch of Frost, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

After some very nice cold mornings we have been treated to a milder day today which, of course, means cloud and rain.
This shot was taken on Saturday morning when the tempurature dropped to a rather chilly -10.

A Distant Hammering

A Distant Hammering, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker, yet another in the long list of birds that I struggle with.
Lovely to see, especially against a bright blue sky, but not easy to sneak up on. This is a bit of a crop....

The Head shot

The Head shot, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

I get a real buzz photographing these chaps. The Sika are far more common and a great deal braver than our Roe deer and that means you can get quite close. With a little patience and lot of respect they make me feel like a real wildlife photographer!

Minus 10, Plus 3

Minus 10, Plus 3, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

There was a heavy frost again this morning as the tempurature reached a chilly low of -10 degrees. Still, it was a Saturday and the sky was blue so a wander was called for.
The light was just about perfect and it didn't take long to find a small group of Sika to play with.

Easier Target

Easier Target, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

So, there was a rather well fed Fox!
There was a skein of several thousand Brent Geese making more noise than Concorde!
There were two racing Kingfishers!
There was a single Goldcrest!
There was even a rather handsome Marsh Harrier!
But only the Egret made it easy for me!

Cold Feet

Cold Feet, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

Poole Harbour on a very cold, blue sky day is always a good place to watch assorted waders.
Oyster Catchers look good, sound great and must have very cold feet!

Cross Legged

Cross Legged, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

I see Roe Deer pretty well every morning on the way to work but don't often get a chance to stop and take a picture. This youngster was very nervous and didn't hang around for long.

Space

Space, a photo by julian sawyer on Flickr.

The local Roe deer will always be outnumbered by the, more adventurous, Sika but a glimpse of either is always special. The Roe don't stay to pose for very long, choosing to put plenty of space between it and you.