Monday 31 December 2012

Can We Have A Slightly Dryer 2013 Please?


It has been a good, if rather wet, 2012. I have not been able to get out with the camera as much as I have wanted to, but have still managed some cracking walks.
I have a lot planned for 2013 but regardless of that, I need to spend more time with our local wildlife, I missed them this year.
Thanks for all the support this year and I hope you all have a fine 2013.

Sunday 30 December 2012

Sika


These two were in a larger group of about twelve youngsters. The Stag was close, but unsociable so I left him alone. There expressions are lovely.

Saturday 29 December 2012

Stonework & Smuggling


When the sea is this rough it is hard to imagine how many people relied on the coast for a living. The cliffs have been quarried for hundreds of years, leaving caves and inlets all along the coast line. Smuggling provided some with a slightly less honest income.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Moving Beach Huts


There is a lot of material on the move at the north end of the beach, making the walkway under the cliffs a dangerous place to be!
The Coastguard have been advised to tape the area off, they will also be the ones who rescue those who don't take advice!

Monday 24 December 2012

Sunday 23 December 2012

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Westward


Swyre Head, the western ridge of the Golden Bowl at Encombe is a little bit special. The view from here is incredible, whether you look East or West, but, in my opinion, West is best. Beautiful when the Sun is shining, but even better, Ithink, when the gloom sets in.
The Encombe Estate was put on the market a couple of years ago for £25 million. The house, hidden away in the bowl, is quite nice and the stables are ok. The cottages have a certain charm and courtyard could hold quite a few Range Rovers! But, if all that is just beyond your means, this view is free.

View On Black

Sunday 16 December 2012

Lookout


Easier than the Buzzard, but still a bit flighty, was the Kestrel. It stayed within a small area hunting, but although it tried several times, couldn't manage lunch.

Stay On The Line


Seeing a Buzzard on a telegraph pole is the easy bit, getting close enough to take a shot is more difficult.

The Worm Whisperer


A large grup of Fieldfares with a few Thrushes trawled the field looking for worms. This Thrush was quite successful.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

White Stags & Cold Feet


A white smudge from a bit of a distance made me stop the car and try to get a little closer.
Then, a few hundred yards of very cold, very wet walking brought me to this chap!
Not quite in focus, partly because of the stupidly low tempuratures and me in work clothes that are not really designed for deer stalking, but a great thing to see.
There really is something quite magical about white deer!

Monday 10 December 2012

Special Forces Donkeys #9 Camouflage


It has been a while since we last had clearance to photograph the Special Forces Donkeys, but this weekend was a special occasion!
The camouflage gear they are wearing was tested (unsuccessfully) in the snow two years ago and it was time to try again in the winter Sun.
As you can plainly not see, the S.F.D. are almost invisible in fact, if they were hiding in a pile of apples you would not see them until it was too late!
Mission Accomplished!

Sunday 9 December 2012

Sleeping Red


Doing what any self-respecting Fox should do on a bright, warm Winters day. The Fox was happy. So was I.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Easier Targets


After crawling through the grass to photograph the, very shy, Oyster Catchers I try my luck with a small group of Turnstones. Lovely little birds and far braver than their larger neighbours.

Quartet


Four Oyster Catchers being a little bit flighty on the shores of Poole Harbour!

Too Flighty


There were two Egrets here, but neither fancied hanging around for a photograph. I don't spend enugh time wandering the shores of Poole Harbour, really should correct that!

Friday 7 December 2012

Monday 3 December 2012

The Purbeck Footprints Roadshow.
On the 15th December we will be showing off our greetings cards, prints, canvases and calendars at the Putlake Farm Christmas Market at Langton on the Isle of Purbeck.
Next year, we want to do more of these. If anyone has details of any fetes or markets happening locally during the year, please get in touch.

Sunday 2 December 2012

Small Birds, Big Fun


This morning we found a small group of five Goldcrests and then spent far too long trying to get a photograph. They are always superb to see and great fun to play with. One of my favourite little birds, and so tiny!!

Terrible news for Wareham!

I would like to apologise to the people of Wareham, Farwell's newsagent have sold out of our Land of Purbeck calendar! Great news for me but heartbreaking news for all those who have missed out!
Worry not though, another batch will be delivered tomorrow and, as always, a big thank you to everyone who bought a calendar!

The Land of Purbeck Calendar 2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432056363507357.100332.142852049094458&type=1&l=a9c095622f

available from Durlston Country Park or direct from www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk

The Nature of Purbeck Calendar 2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432062966840030.100333.142852049094458&type=1&l=3a4b3b3f98

available fro Durlston Country Park or direct from www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk

Saturday 1 December 2012

Slash & Burn


The landscape at Arne is changing. The Forestry have cut plenty of trees down and burn whatever is left.

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...