Fulmars

I was surfing the other morning at Porthtowan, an exposed beach on the north coast with high cliffs surrounding the bay. It was a warm morning with light sea breezes which later turned into a heavy onshore westerly wind. We were in the water just after dawn (7am) . Between sets I noticed a lot of Fulmars souring and gliding over the water and around the cliffs. Watching them was amazing. I have always been fascinated by these birds that seem very similar to Albatross. I was sitting there in the water when one skimmed over a wave right next to me. I could see every detail in its feathers and its powerful beak. It soared off round the cliff and away out of sight. A beautiful moment. One of the things that I love about surfing is the way that animals see you in a different way and are not afraid in the same way it is almost as though they see you as more of a animal and not human.

Location: Porthtowan

Habitat description: steep sided high cliffs, exposed.

Map Reference: SW702472

Time/Date: 23/02/11 7am

kynance Cove

kynance Cove is a bay on the south coast or Cornwall on the Lizard peninsular. A very wild and remote place with steep cliffs and strong winds. I went to Kynance Cove to see a big winter swell that was due to hit. When we got there the sea was heaving huge waves rolling into the bay and smashing themselves against the cliffs. As usual when I go to see these sorts of natural events the energy of the storm pumps through me making me have to slow down to be able to take some photographs. My first spot I chose to take a shot was from a ledge a way down the cliff that gave me a good view of another cliff face and the waves hitting it. I was still a long way up just above the splash zone. When I had set the tripod up and started shooting there was a massive bang like a gunshot and a sheet of water shot up in front of me. Held back by the wind it continued to rise up only a few feet in front of me like a white wall. Because of the wind not a drop of water landed on me but it still left me shaking with adrenaline. To be quite honest this was exactly what I wanted. I stayed where I was keeping an eye on the sets enjoying the rush from the danger of where I was. For me one of the reasons for photographing landscapes is to explore taking a landscape from an easy place doesn’t do it for me I like to make it a challenge and go places that others might not. For me on that day I was rewarded by the presence of a Kestrel that soared up from below and hovered right in front of me its black eyes staring back at me as I stared at it, a moment of stillness amongst the turbulent water around us. I did not try to photograph is as it was quite dark and just enjoyed the moment. It soon swooped off along the cliff and was gone. There are also many sea birds in the cliffs including Great Black Backed Gulls that soared around on the wind currents.

Location: Kynance Cove on the Lizard.

Habitat Description: exposed windy cliffs.

Map Reference: SW6813

Time/Date: 16/02/2011 3pm – dark

Weather: Stormy Seas Windy.

Squirrels being a Pain

The squirrels chewed through one of the feeders on the weekend. This is really annoying as this was the feeder I was using for some flight observation that I have recently been doing. I have replaced the feeder with another one that I hope will be more robust and more squirrel proof. However this feeder is not as good for observing as it does not have perches. The squirrels are very agile climbing up the slippery pole to the seed and clinging on. When they have been there for a while they start to slide back down the pole but quickly climb back up.

Location: walled Garden

Map Reference: sw775345

Time/ Date: Weekend of the 08/02/11

Weather: na