Tuesday 30 October 2012

Wind Blown


One of our friendlier birds and a companion on a beechcombing wander at the weekend, this little Robin tried its hardest to look good!
Posing for a photo when the wind is blowing is not easy though!

From Bill To The Anvil


From the quarry ledges beneath the old chapel at St. Aldhelm's Head you can see the lighthouses at Portland Bill and Anvil point. Although there was a cold, lazy wind blowing from the north, the sky was clear and you could see for miles.
One of my favourite places.
(a lazy wind, according to chap I used to know, is one that is too lazy to blow around you and so cuts straight through).

Friday 26 October 2012

Tony's Horses


These horses always remind me of the chargers used by Knights in the Middle Ages. They are lovely animals and seem to fit nicely on the reserve behind where I live. I pass through here on the way to the cliffs of Durlston.

Rest in peace, Tony

Wednesday 24 October 2012

The Long Distant Gannets


That is the only type of Gannet I tend to see, they do come closer to shore, but not often enough.
They are always good to see though, even better when you can catch them diving for food.

Little Legs


I have bumped in to this chap and his mum several times over the last few weeks but have not managed to take a shot. I was quite lucky this time and managed to get quite close.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Wild At Heart


Always a favourite and always seemingly willing to pose, the Robin brightens up whatever he is sat on.

Twiggy


One of my favourite birds, the Long-Tailed Tit is ridiculously cute. There was a gang of about a dozen of these tumbling through the hedges. At one point they were so close, I couldn't use my camera because I only had the big lens.
Dark mornings and darker evenings mean that my wandering time is more limited than ever, making times like this even more special.

Saturday 20 October 2012

More Publicity?


This picture has been used in a brochure for my Purbeck Footprints stuff and was taken at Peveril Point, one of my favourite places. I'm not too fond of having my photogragh taken and that makes publicity shots difficult. I wonder if Simon King could stand in for me?

Aerial Ballet


At one time there were half a dozen Crows having a go at this Kestrel. It ducked and dived for about ten minutes before it finally shook off the last two.
A huge crop on this one but, even though it was almost directly into the Sun, I quite like it.

View On Black

The Last Post


Plenty of little birds around today, but not too many were willing to hang around and pose. The Stonechats competed against the Robins for the Cutest Bird Award and this time, for once, they came out on top.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Old Red Eyes


It was good to see so a number of Dartford Warblers about again, it is a bird that I always look forward to seeing. They are full of character and can be quite brave for such a small bird.

Into The Sun


Another of my favourite birds, the Wren can keep me amused for ages. This one hopped in and out of the dark, only giving me a few seconds to take a shot. There were a few Goldcrests about too, but the Wren seemed to take over.

Saturday 13 October 2012

Twitcher Watching


On the coast path, about twenty feet above a Peregrine , stood a group of twitchers watching another Peregrine several hundred feet away!

Just Like Buses


I have no luck at all with Jays! Even if they don't fly away, they make sure I can't get a proper shot!

Wednesday 10 October 2012

The Purbeck Footprints website has been updated with new pictures and the new 2013 calendars. Visit if you get a chance, www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk
I am very proud of it.

Monday 8 October 2012

Like Mother, Like Daughter


Part of a small harem, these two were quite timid. They didn't stay for long, choosing to find the gloom of the trees rather than the clearing. The Sika are still classed as unwanted pests by some, but I always enjoying watching them.

The Stare


All was quiet except for the gentle patter of rain as it fell from the trees. No birds calling, no cars, no people, just me and half a dozen Sika.
A wet, dull drive home from work suddenly got more interesting!

Sunday 7 October 2012

Catching The Breeze


What Autumn day would be complete without the sight and sounds of a Robin.
I have too many shots of these birds, but just can't resist taking more.

And Then There Was One


Just a single Turnstone stayed for longer than we did, still checking the cracks for food.
It got close too and you can see what a beautifully marked little bird this really is.

Two By Two


Sitting on a rock as the sea laps at your feet, with the Sun shining and not a soul in sight is quite a good way to spend some time.
When the rock you are sitting on seems full of the remains of ancient Sharks, Crocodiles, Turtles and fish, it gets even more fun.
During the afternoon, pairs of Shags, Oyster Catchers and Turnstones flew past or rested for a while, forcing me to drop the chisel, grap the camera and snap away.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Blue & White


At one point there were five Egrets in the air making it difficult to choose which bird would give the best results!
Lovely to watch though.

White Light


There are usually around a dozen Egrets roosting here, and in the mornings they always face the Sun! Great for the birds, but I struggled with the exposure on these.

More Target Practise


And more fun with the Black Headed Gulls that are not yet black headed.

Target Practise


When all else fails and time is against you, it is good to have a back up plan.
The Gulls that haunt the bay are perfect for target practise and the little Black Headed Gulls are a favourite.

Thursday 4 October 2012

Many thanks to the DFRS Camera Club for booking me to talk at one of their meetings in March. I had a fine time with them last January and look forward to a second visit.
The talks I give are based on my photographs, where and how I take them, or on the nature and lanscape of the Isle of Purbeck. For more information, drop me a line.

Head On


There were quite a few Red Admirals around today, including one that looked as if it had only just popped out.
This one was a little more ragged.

Less Darting, More Resting


Is it just me, or is this Common Darter starting to look a little aged? This one was quite happily soaking up the Sun while I snapped away.

Quiet but never silent.

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...