Saturday 17 January 2009

Portland - Part 1

I took a birding trip down to Portland Bill today with a couple of friends. Portland is on the south coast of England and is a magnet for migrating birds as it sticks out quite some way. It is also a great area for winter birding.There was a stiff south westerly wind which made the sea quite rough. These Purple Sandpipers were sheltering on the cliff face. I couldn't get any closer for better shots and they refused to wake up for me so that I could get a better pose!The strong winds made for some spectacular waves breaking against the rocks as can be seen in the following photos. I certainly had to be careful of getting sea spray on my camera and optical equipment! It was exhilarating stuff to watch the waves coming in and the sound was amazing!

We spent an hour or two sea watching. There were hundreds of Guillemots with a few Razorbills out there as well as some Kittiwake and the odd Fulmar and Gannets. A couple of times Shag flew closer in which gave the opportunity to try and get some shots. The rough weather made for a difficult if exciting sea watch.
The waves were breaking just below us and I love the soft almost fizzy look to the sea here.The next post will concentrate on just one bird that was fun to watch.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The birds apart Jen, you have got some beautiful shoreline views. Typical rough seas of Portland.

Eve said...

Morgan and I got the book out Jenny! Morgan really likes that Shag. We both thought the last picture was very professional looking and even had an ice cream quality to it!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Purple Sandpipers! A kindred! I recognized them before I read the text. He's probably keeping his nose warm.

Jenny said...

Hi Roy, The shore views could have been much better if I'd remembered to take along my ordinary 16 - 55mm lens. As it was, I just used my 70 - 300 lens and got in what I could! That sea was great!

Hi Morgan and Evie, glad you both liked the Shag, they're a bit more delicate than the Cormorant. Glad you liked the frothy sea pic too! (-:

Hi Steve, I wondered if you'd notice those! (-: Wish I could have got closer for better photos, but c'est la vie!

Mary said...

Wow...great sea and wave shots! I think if I was a little bird on a cliff by the sea in the cold wind, I wouldn't wake up for any visiting photographers either!

Celeste said...

Wonderful sea shots, you must have felt exhilarated by all that energy.

Shelley said...

Loved seeing the waves crash against these rocks! I'm enjoying seeing beautiful places I've never been to but now hope to!

Jenny said...

Hi Mary, yes I think they know when is best to be out foraging and when to take a nap!

Jenny said...

Hi Celeste, First of all thanks for dropping in on my blog and yes it really was exhilarating. Where abouts in Britain did you come from if you don't mind me asking?

Hi Shelley, have you ever made it over to Britain? The dollars in a better position than it was....... (-:

Jenny said...

Hi Celeste, I've just noticed your comments on my Cornish trip which answers my question of where you lived! (-: