coming and going

Sunday 16th July 2018, Embleton Bay, 7am

A warm day and we're heading to Glasgow.  It's raining there so this is our chance to enjoy the sun...

sandy morning

14th July 2018, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

I suspect these sunny sands will be busy later today...

little and large

10th July 2018, Dunstanburgh, 8am

A wee jaggy thistle
Sits by the sea
If I had purple spiky hair
He'd look a bit like me

10th July 2018, Newton Point, 4pm

Brilliant sky this afternoon with clouds stretching from one horizon to the other. The heat of the bright summer sun was tempered by a cool breeze. Daisy had her eyes on the sea...

11th July 2018, Howick, 11am

A lovely run along the coastal path between Howick and Boulmer on a nice cool, windless day.

12th July 2018, Embleton Bay, 8am

The curlews are back from their summer migration.

personal space

9th July 2018, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

A hint of rain in the air which is very welcome for the parched landscape.

Daisy watched some dogs going by on the beach while I let my mind drift.  We were disturbed from our peaceful preoccupations by someone who wanted to stand next to us and talk into his phone.  I think city folk have a different idea of personal space.  We left him to his conversation.

9th July 2018, at home, 9am

A definite drizzle now and this feverfew was collecting the raindrops.  Some would regard this as a weed but it is a very beautiful flower and our garden has undisturbed corners for wildlife to enjoy.

flying by

8th July 2018, Dunstanburgh, 7am

The days seem to be flying by - maybe it's the weather being so dry for so many weeks.

There was brightness at the horizon and cool clouds overhead.  The heat of the day would soon burn through though.  The only birds flying from the cliffs today were kittiwakes which flew this way to somewhere with rich pickings and that way to their nests and their hungry chicks.

summer sunrise

7th July 2018, Newton Point, 4am

I woke at 3:30 and was restless.  When I looked out the window I could see there would be a nice sunrise and a quick check showed it would be at 4:34 so plenty of time to get myself out there.  It's very rare for me to see sunrise at this time of year so this was too good an opportunity to miss.

Daisy, surprisingly, bounced out of bed keen to join me.

I kept her on the lead as I thought we might encounter the last of the nocturnal wildlife although it was already quite bright in the sky.

Sure enough ahead of us on the path was first one deer then two.  They watched us for a bit and then the stag started chasing the female all around the field.  Daisy was going crazy on the lead so it was tricky to get photos and hold her at the same time!

Eventually they bounded away and we walked on only to stop and watch as another two female deer leapt through the long grass.

 Down on the beach the sunrise was warming up the sky and it was nicely reflected in the pools.

Out to sea between the two headlands a couple of dolphins were coming to the surface.  Too distant to photograph, these few minutes of their company were just for my eyes.

Snook point gave us a decent vantage point for the moment of sunrise...

...but we dropped down to the beach again where terns were busy finding breakfast just offshore. The curlews are back at the coast too and the air was filled with their beautiful melancholic cries mixed with the frantic shrieking of the terns.

At the other end of the beach 3 eiders were bobbing gently on the calm sea.

Time to head home as the sun rose higher and the orange would soon fade to blue.

silver

6th July 2018, Embleton Bay, 8am

Enjoying the silvery calmness