Houns tout: In Sunshine and In Mist

Houns tout is a rocky outcrop high above the sea that sits between Chapman's Pool and the Encombe Bowl. It must be my favourite place and somewhere I can spend far too much time.
This morning mists fell from St.Alhelm's Head, across the mouth of Chapman's Pool and curled around Houns tout before sliding effortlessly along the valley at Encombe. It was difficult to walk away.

Sunrise

Clouds, clouds and more clouds were the order of the day, making any photograph grey, flat and dull. Yesterday though, was a different story with a beautiful start.

Cold and Colder

With my guided walks and talks finished for the year and the storms that have hit the Isle of Purbeck leaving us to be replaced by colder, clearer weather more time is available for me to go wandering on my own.
One of the wonders of our coastline is the constantly changing view, whether clouds or waves catch your eye, it is always wonderful to watch.

A Peregrine's Breakfast

This morning's walk was grey with a wind that whipped up the sea into a churning field of white horses. Skies were grey and what Sun there was struggled to make any difference to the gloom that covered our part of the world. Then, with no warning, a shape fell from the cliff top followed closely by a slate-grey streak, a brief cloud of feathers later and breakfast was served. A single Peregrine, with another flying above, tucked into a plump pigeon. The shots are a little grainy but this is always a good thing to see.

Water, Waders, Peace and Quiet

There wasn't a breath of wind, the frost that had greeted the Sun had disappeared and the water was as still as a millpond. All manner of water birds were on show, common and less common, and all looked superb in the Autumn sunshine.

Along with the Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier and countless Sandpipers were these chaps.

Mallard

Lapwing

Black-headed Gulls

Godwit

Water rail

Shoveler

Little Egret

Great White Egret

Teal

Coot

View from the castle

We have many great views on the Isle of Purbeck but this one, across the bays to the north is a favourite. The clouds change, the colours change but the view is always impressive and always takes my breath away.

Corfe Castle: Autumn Mists

At this time of year Corfe Castle, already one of our most popular buildings, is a magnet for photographers and most of them seem to head for the same view point, on the hill to the west of the castle. From this place you can see down the valley and follow the mist as it appears and disappears at sunrise. There are plenty of other places to watch the castle appear out of the mist and these tend to be ignored by most people, even though I prefer the shots that you can get.
A walk from the top road around the common can be very wet, very muddy but great fun.

The Autumnwatch Effect

We live in a very special part of the country and it is always nice to be told just how special this place is. BBC's Autumnwatch TV programme is currently using a local RSPB reserve as their home and, being only a few miles down the road, it is a place I know pretty well. So, completely unashamedly, I have decided to jump on the Autumnwatch bandwagon and show off a few of my favourite local wildlife shots.  These are shots of some of the locals that the show are showing.

Red Squirrel

Fox Cubs

The Live Purbeck Dolphin

Young Sika

Sika Stag