Gannets, Gannets, Gannets

The cliffpaths that follow the coast on the southern tip of the Isle of Purbeck are a perfect place to watch the sea birds. Gannets can often be seen but usually far off in the distance, but if you are lucky they venture in shore to feed and can spend several hours diving close to cliff. Taking photographs of these birds can be difficult if the light is not great but any chance to watch these birds is worth it.

The Purbeck U3A Iceland Presentation

I had a wonderful time on my return visit to the Purbeck U3A this week, I have given talks to them before and have enjoyed them all. This time though was a little different and involved given an hour long chat about my recent visit to Iceland. Harman's Cross Vallage Hall was packed with 110 people, enough to take up all of the seats and use up all of the tea cups! Iceland itself is a beautiful country and I had no trouble finding photographs to show and things to talk about.

Blue Skies, Frost, a Robin and an Adder

The Isle of Purbeck takes some beating when the skies are clear and frost covers the ground. The paths become easier to walk as the mud freezes, at least for a little while, and the cold air feels good to breath. Walking the coast path is a must for me whatever the weather but on these cold, clear days our cliffs seem to shine.

 

 

Along the cliffs Jackdaws and Pigeons joined the gulls and Guillemots but it was a very friendly, and extremely vocal, Robin that won the best looking bird award.

 On an outcrop, above the long closed path to an old quarry, was a single Adder taking in the warmth of the winter Sun.

Sunshine and Showers

On a morning like this all you should do is walk along the cliffs. The paths may be waterlogged and you may end up with mud in places that you didn’t know you had but this morning’s wander was glorious. Gulls, Jackdaws and the ever present pigeons were joined by a Peregrine that followed the cliff edge not seeming to do anything but upset the residents.

 

 We were not lucky enough to see the Dolphins that we spotted yesterday, but this did nothing to ruin the walk.

 With the sound of waves breaking below us and with the sun desperate to break through the clouds that sat waiting to drop even more rain, we walked on. This is a definate favourite area of mine and somewhere that I spend a great deal of time.

Rough Weather Training

With the weather we have had lately it is highly appropriate that the volunteer Swanage Lifeboat Crew decided to take a few hours out of their already lives for a little rough weather training.
It was difficult enough trying to take the shots without being blown over and the oncoming rain didn't help, but all of this was nothing compared to what the crew had to put up with.