Day 125 - Bempton Cliffs

I spent Saturday on the coast around Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head.

As you can see, it was quite a dull day, though the cloud / sea fog did lift later on.

I found all the parts leftover from a crab dinner! I could have rebuilt it, minus the inside bits (I took this photo before finding the other claw/legs),

In June the cliffs were packed full with gannets, puffins, Kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. Now there are pretty much only gannets on the cliffs. They weren't easy to take a good photo of either due to a combination of the light and the fact they were mostly snoozing or preening, never posing nicely!

 

A flock of goldfinches which were moving around the reserve, landing amongst different thistle patches throughout my visit!

This young gannet was playing with a stick

But, inevitably, he dropped it.

Another was taking a nap...

Then woke up and started preening.

I also spotted one much younger chick on the cliffs, still fluffy-headed.

Down below on the rocks there was an oystercatcher (only visible through binoculars - and camera zoom!).

I love the sounds if seabird colonies so I made a short video of the sound of the gannets...


Walking back along the cliff path, I spotted a few hoppers...

and back at the visitor centre, the tree sparrows I always see there.

My next stop was North Landing (between Bempton and Flamborough Head) for a bit of rock pooling

I mainly saw small fish and anemones, but was hoping to find crabs.

The little boy in the photo below (and his dad) had got to all the pools first and either scared all the crabs deep into hiding or collected them in their bucket so I wasn't hopeful I was going to find a single crab.

Hooray! Lifted a rock, found a crab! But that pesky little boy spotted that and no sooner had I lifted the camera than he was in with his net, stealing my crab! I did manage this one photo.

I was not happy after that. The boy had his own crabs, he could have let me at least get a good look before he yoinked mine!

I left shortly after - at least I'd found a crab. This is the view from part way back up the path.

I consoled myself with an ice cream. Salted caramel. It was good!

Then went onwards to Flamborough Head for a quick wander along the cliff top there, as the sun had come out for a bit.

A pretty good day on the coast :) It was great to be beside the sea!

Day 124 - Mist and Antlers

I've been away for the weekend (hence the recent lack of comments - I have some catching up to do over the next few days!).

Friday began with an autumnal feel, mist in the valleys and a lovely sunrise. I spent a few minute in the garden listening to the birds after taking these photos from the house.

After a busy morning at home and an afternoon at school, I set off for a four hour drive to the East Coast.

On the way I noticed all the balloons heading up from Tissington...

I stopped for a few minutes to watch them rising.

It was a balloon enthusiasts event for solo balloonists. You can read more about that here, and see some photos ---> http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/amazing-video-daring-solo-balloonists-dangling/story-27919179-detail/story.html

Then I continued on my journey and, as I drove past Big Moor, spotted a fine pair of antlers!  I was able to turn the car around and go back to take a few photos.

The evening light was lovely but the stag didn't hand around.

His harem were just a few metres away too, but I didn't take any photos of the females.

After almost four hours driving, I arrived in Bridlington and made my way to the flat I was staying in for the weekend. Outside the door I spotted an angle shades moth not looking too good.

Closer inspection revealed it had some cobweb wrapped around a back leg and stuck to the wing so it couldn't fly.  It was lucky I arrived and noticed it - I was able to cut the string of web away and let it fly on :)

I spent the weekend in Bridlington as I had booked another seabird cruise (I posted about one of these cruises in June, --> here) so I had lots of time outdoors and lots of sea bird spotting this weekend - I'll be back soon with a post about Saturday, Day 125.

Day 123 - Autumn colours

Another busy day so today's wild time was a simple one - stopping to admire the changing colours in the landscape as the leaves turn, all looking lovely in the sunshine.