The Return Visit

It had been a couple of weeks since I last saw these chaps and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get close. It was difficult to start with but eventually this young lad came to say hello, although he kept his distance while we played a game of ‘food or pebble’. It didn’t take him long to realize that I had no food and pebbles are no real fun, but he let me play on until he got bored. He left, to be replaced by his smaller sister and the game resumed. Tonight's encounter didn't last long, they are wary of people (which is good) and the slightest movement makes them jump, but just being in their company for half an hour was a privilege. This will probably be my last visit until next year and the next generation of Family Fox, but that seems so far away.

 

The walk back from Family Fox was quiet and still with just the sound of Rabbits in the undergrowth. I was into the woods as darkness fell: the world became shadows instead of trees and the familiar sounds of the day turned into more sinister sounds of the night. The creaks and squeaks that I know are Sika become almost otherworldly, the rustle of a Badger as it plods through the leaves can easily turn into footsteps. Footsteps belonging to who? Well, that doesn’t matter, darkness can play tricks as your senses heighten.
Through the woods and stars once again replaced the canopy of leaves, shadows moved away to a safer distance and the evening seems a lot lighter than it should be. A very young Roe Deer appeared, momentarily frozen in the gloom, before a few well timed jumps put her close to her mum again: she gave me one of those looks that only a mother can give.
The Sun setting below the hills called an end to another evening in the company of the finest the Isle of Purbeck can offer.

 

Guided Walks

More August and September dates have been added to our walking calendar and can be found at www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk  on the events page. Dates for later in the year will be added soon. I really enjoy these walks and they seem to be popular with those that join me. They are very informal, easy walks that allow us all to discuss photography, wildlife or both no matter how much we know. 

Keep a look out on the Purbeck Footprints Facebook page also, for more dates and information.

Swanage Pirate Week

This weekend sees the first ever Swanage Pirate Weekend take over the town. Now our little bay is perfect for tall ships and the Shtandart looks superb against the back drop of cliffs or open sea.

Meet the Locals

At this time of year Swifts own the skies above our house in Swanage, screaming as they career between the trees and buildings and then soar high above. Suddenly though another, more familiar, screech could be heard: a noise that I have heard many times but not in the town, on the cliffs yes, but never above the house! Thinking about it, Peregrines breed not too far from here and can be seen from the cliffs both north and south of the town so it should not be surprising to see them.

One Swallow Does Not A Summer Make

There is a place, not too far from me, where I can sit and watch the Swallows for as long as I want and believe me, this can be a while. When the youngsters are free of the nest but still hanging on to their parent’s coat tails, there is so much to see and so much to photograph. This is yet another bird that I cannot get enough of.