Purbeck Footprints

24/05/2025

It’s been a busy few weeks with lots of photos taken but not that many of wildlife!
There was an exception though, when I went for a wander around the Cambridgeshire Fens. This is a magical area, especially in the early morning, and somewhere I knew nothing about. One morning we stumbled across a Barn Owl having a nap! Another first for me and the first time I have seen the surprised look on a Barn Owl’s face when he woke up and realised I was there!
I’ll pop up a few more photos later once I’ve gone through a whole load of portrait photos, but in the meantime time, have a great weekend x

02/05/2025

Puffins have returned to the Isle of Purbeck and that is always welcome. I’ve travelled quite a distance to take photos of these beautiful little birds and I’d do it all again tomorrow.
They are completely addictive and I could spend hours just watching them.

02/05/2025

Morning walks work!
And there really is something about a warm May morning that works even better.
This is time I need to think about the important things.

26/04/2025

21/04/2025

A lingering wave of dark cloud was keeping the distant hills and castle in shadow but to the south, where I was, the sky was clear and the setting sun was still bright and warm. I was following Badger trails but it was to early still and although there were plenty of footprints the Badgers were still snoring.
What really caught my eye was the Roe deer and any encounter with these is always special. They are looking a little dishevelled at the moment but soon, as spring becomes summer they will be sporting new coats.
In the last rays of the dying sun I saw a pair of Roe deer that seemed happy to share their world at least for a while. The female is pregnant too and the chance of getting to know the youngsters is something definitely worth looking forward too.

19/04/2025

I posted this a couple of years ago and have been asked to post again. So on this damp, grey Saturday, enjoy an evening walk on me:

As the Sun sets, my world changes.
But what a world it is!
Darkness seems to grow from the trees: their shadows deepen and new leaves try to hide any remnants of light from the sky.
Although our eyes are beautifully designed they are woefully inadequate here and they fail to pe*****te the gloom.
So listen!
Feel the path beneath your feet, learn how the ground feels, rediscover your place, take nothing for granted.
But listen and listen well!
Little by little sounds creep from the shadows: new sounds, old sounds, some recognisable some not!
Listen to them all!
This is not my word anymore! I know the animals that should live here but familiar paths have become strangers.
Take time then.
Slow down.
Enjoy the sounds, forget your eyes, close them if you dare.
If you dare.
Feel your heart.
Trust your head.
My world has changed, but what a world it is.

15/04/2025

Thirty two spaces for a group of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award participants.
One of many talks I’ll give for the rather lovely Cumulus Outdoors this year.
Always fun

06/04/2025

After a busy weekend an evening walk was exactly what was needed. Just about every sense was assaulted by nature as she waged war on my overthinking brain.
First and most obvious is the sea of yellow Gorse flowers up on the common and the accompanying scent is almost too much, it sometimes seems like you can almost taste it.
As the sun set the dusk chorus of what sounded like every bird on the Isle of Purbeck flooded from trees and undergrowth.
It was time for the night wanderers to wake up too and first to cross my path was a big old dog Fox that was far too disinterested in me.
In the distance Sika squeaked their haunting evening calls, a lone Barn Owl flew low just above the grass, following its own path, and bats started to appear in the lessening evening light.
My walk brought all of this and more, filling my head until it was time to go home.
There is more to talk about, there always is, but that will do for now.
I hope you’ve all had a great weekend.

25/03/2025

We just need a couple more weeks and the evenings will be light enough for long enough. Don’t get me wrong, I love wandering these footpaths in the dark but walking towards a sunset on a spring evening is special.
Sunsets will always remind me of people that I miss and these are generally the people I want to sit next to and watch a sunset with.
It’s a funny old world sometimes.

17/03/2025

There is just something very special about a Fox and with the evenings getting lighter the hunt is on. It takes time to wander the trails, time to sit and wait, but it is time never wasted. Waiting is the easy bit and I can wait..

14/03/2025

A slow steady walk was needed this morning and Mother Nature didn’t disappoint, giving me a sharp, bright blue sky day. As the Sun lazily banished frost filled shadows it turned ice crystals into dew drop diamonds that reflected millions of points of star light into the already brightening morning.
Skylarks were already bundling across the heath before heading high into the sky, their songs setting a perfect soundtrack while Dartford Warblers tried hard to compete from the shelter of yellow tipped Gorse.
In case that wasn’t enough, a seemingly endless supply of Robins filled in the gaps with their songs, adding a quick flash of red among the green and yellow.
We are part of nature and it can help if you give it a chance.