Various Sightings

So busy that it's been a while but what a fabulous transition from summer to autumn it's been. And so mild that we still haven't turned the heating on yet!

Favoutite things recently

New dive site - western gullies just off Mevagissey Harbour. Went out with Sals Diving really relaxed but thorough operation. Western gullies in a shallow (9m) shore dive with great marine life. I was a bit concerned, given that it is right next to the harbour, that it would be awash with rubbish and dead fish. Not a bit of it. Despite a free flowing octopus, a new dive site and in theory a photography lesson I had a fabulous dive. Even swapping mouthpieces underwater was stress free. To have a closer look at the site have a look at this youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC9qksPxBQ8 The photo is about the best I could manage, even though it was a good dive the free flow did occupy my attention more than my camera and my other shots were quite simply pants.

There have been large numbers of different birds down at Par Beach and I've finally started to remember to bring my binoculars on a more regular occurance. Absolutely essential when Harry scattered all before him.
A week or two back on one 45 min walk I saw the following;
Herring Gull
Black Headed  Gull
Some small little auks
Sandpiper
Oyster catcher
Litte Egret
Heron
Mute Swan
Goose - some sort
Hawk - ditto
Blue tit
Long tailed tit
Yellow wagtail
Robin
Sedge warbler
Goldfinch
Rook / carrion crow
Various ducks

The reson for such  varied spot is that there is a reedy stream that leads down on to Par beach from the carpark, the beach is flanked on one side by small cliffs and is huge and flat with rocks at either end. Behind the sandy beach are sand dunes and behind the dunes is a large lake with scrub trees at one end. So lots of different habitats.  I could have seen more I suspect but ... Harry.

Idless2 - Walking - Everytrail

Idless2 - Walking - Everytrail

Using some rather natty technology I can now track my walks. This walk was in the Idless woods and featured flying dogs, crouching children, mud and gunpowder works and a hill fort. All this in two easy miles. I'll have to work out if I can import the full report in here but otherwise maps and photos are via the link.

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Quick birds spots.

Nice walk along the Pentewan River this morning. Saw a pair of Grey Wagtails playing "it" up and down the course of the river. They seemed to be having great fun, further along the bank Harry strtled a huge heron, well they always seem so huge don't they? They go from invisible statues to ancient pterodactyls in the blink of an eye. It might have been nicer to get a bit closer, but hey ho Harry. Further along the bank I also saw a pair of Dippers I often see them here but never for very long. There are also Kingfishers on this stretch as well but I have yet to see them. I thought with it being an early morning walk I might get lucky. Nothing yet though.

Fishermen and sunsets.

One of the nice things about having Harry is that I get out so much more than I ever used to and I'm always finding new walks. This one, by Treskilling, is a nice simple circuit of a flooded clay pit (I presume) and is near one of the boys' friends'. As Thomas was off at another party I got to do the walk twice and it was interesting to see it at two different times of the day. At noon the day was hot and sunny  and I was lucky enough to see an adder "sprinting" across the path as Harry came bounding towards him. As soon as he was in the rocks Harry set off in pursuit of something else; beetle, cloud, vague promise of a rabbit - who knows? It would have been nice to have really studied the adder but to be honest Harry and wildlife just don't mix. I went to take a close up of a mushroom last week  when Harry walked into shot and ate it; he then spat it out but all photogenic properties had gone by then.

The lake was playing host to a fishing competition so I received a few glares as Harry went bounding into the lake for his normal drink and cool down. Thankfully he wasn't near any of the lines or holding nets or else he'd have been trying to get at the fish! Then I would have been getting some really filthy looks. However, I think they had greater problems from this pair of fishermen.

Harry, of course soon sorted out this problem as well. You see, I get to see lots more than I ever used to but only fleetingly.

I came back again in the evening to collect number one son. The walk had a totally different air this time as the trees cast longs shadows with deep rustling. All rather gloomy and a tad menacing so I was glad to get back up onto the heath and was treated to a glorious sunset. Feeling very calm, I then picked up a very energised son who had had a fabulous day on zip wires and quad bikes. I have low expectations of him getting all his spelling right in today's test.

Photography course with David Chapman at the Bishop's Forum Centre

This Saturday was a great day in so many ways. I'd booked myself onto a one day photography course with wildlife photographer David Chapman. I've always enjoyed taking photos but know I could always do better so I was really looking forward to doing this. The group of 10 was an interesting mix of amateurs and semi pros so at times the conversations seemed either blindingly obvious or ridiculously complicated depending on who you were. Thankfully, everyone seemed content to accept that there was a multitude of needs in the room and no one tried to hog the limelight. Have to say though, some people's kit was awesome, serious camera envy going on. David focused on close up photography as the weather conditions weren't going to lend themselves to much of anything else. Picked up some good tips and had  fun learning how some apparently natural shots are completely rigged!

We then went out for an hour or two around Bishops Forum who were hosting the event. They are a fabulous centre set up to help children, who don't get any breaks in their life, to have a rest and get some fun. The centre has expanded now and runs a huge range of activities and is set in a disused quarry between Falmouth and Penryn. It certainly had the potential for some great wildlife shots and some of us managed some real corkers. I was pleased with one of mine but for me the best part was understanding what some of the little buttons on my camera did. I will also be buying some extension rings, very impressed with them and a tripod as I shake too much!

At the end we all put forward a few shots that we were pleased with and all discussed them. It was great and rather nice receiving compliments from people who were clearly better than me. It also made it easier to bear the gentle criticisms. They probably weren't even criticisms but anything less than "Wow, you're wonderful" smarts :-) I'd love to join the CWT wildlife photography group but I doubt I would ever get the time away. Having just looked at their site I see they've got an Art exhibition coming up. Will do my best to get to that.

After a lovely day I drove home to find a shattered husband and dog - that was a BIG walk. We then went to collect the boys from a birthday party and ended up joining in on some massive games of bulldog and kick the can. Today is Monday and I can still barely walk. There's no need for fancy gyms or fitness instructors just play for an hour with a bunch of rugby loving 9 year olds and those pounds will simply fall away! As will your dignity, knee caps and fingernails.

And another perfect day.

Out first thing to visit the Gribben daymark - got to climb it whilst a lovely lady from the NT looked after Harry. Rather glad because the last part of the climb was up a ladder and I'd have had to carry Harry. Gorgoeus views although slightly hazy all round. Down to Polridmouth beach, I tell you the air was full of butterflies, at one point I walked through a cloud of 15 or so Red Admirals. Sat on the beach until Harry disgraced himself by jumping in joy at a running girl. Then onto Mum's for a sunny delicious lunch, chicken breasts stuffed with spring onions and wrapped in bacon, so soft and moist. Next I grabbed the boys and we went back up to circumnavigate Blackpool pit to see if we could spot a way in to hunt down panthers! Unsurprisingly no joy but the boys enjoyed it finally we went to finish the day on Polkerris beach but it was heaving and high tide so a bit disappointing. I don't like crowds and whilst the boys got to do some tombstoning they also seemed a bit tired from the heat so we finished on a quiet note.

Forgot to say

Not really outside events but this weekend you can get behind the scenes of historical buildings. Harry and I will go out to the Gribben Daymark. It's not often open to the public so I'm hoping that dogs are allowed but I won't hold my breath.