Those of you who have followed this series from the start
may remember our reference to 2 Songs laying dormant,
one of which has been our headline for the last 6 Posts.
The other is also a 'classic' from US Hard Rock band Mountain
Nantucket Sleighride (Link)
from the album of the same name.
NANTUCKET
Nantucket Sleighride (Link)
from the album of the same name.
Nantucket is an island
about 30 miles south from Cape Cod, in the American
state of Massachusetts. Together with the small islands
of Tuckernuck and Muskeget,
it constitutes the town of Nantucket, and the conterminous
Nantucket County, which are consolidated.
For the final, but by no means least, part to TFAIW we paid a visit to Portland Bill where the prospects were good as a finale to our trip with a smattering of new birds for the year and the County! First port of call was as usual the
PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY (Link)
and the onto the Bill where immediately we found c6
and the onto the Bill where immediately we found c6
PURPLE SANDPIPER
as ever foraging among the rocky shoreline.
The silence was shattered by the passing
Coast Guard Helicopter
a noise we would happily put up with were we in danger.
a noise we would happily put up with were we in danger.
Looking back along the coast towards East Cliff with the
PBO just peeking above the horizon left of image.
PBO just peeking above the horizon left of image.
Next up were a good number of
RAZORBILL
viewed from the lee of the
Trinity House Obelisk,
but a search of the redundant Bill Stone Quarry was without success for
Black Redstart
so something left for another day.
Onward to
PULPIT ROCK
for decent views of
PULPIT ROCK
for decent views of
GUILLEMOT
but on the day there was not a Fulmar to be seen!
PORTLAND BILL LIGHTHOUSE
AGROCYBE CYLINDRACEA
found on the Common followed by a view of the third and oldest of
The Islands Lighthouses known as the
found on the Common followed by a view of the third and oldest of
The Islands Lighthouses known as the
HIGHER LIGHT
The afternoon was now drawing on which is when Dave Foot phoned
to ask if I was still around and should he join me for what was
hoped to be the SPECTACULAR to follow!
Together we wandered up the the
Privet Hedge
where already one of the
The afternoon was now drawing on which is when Dave Foot phoned
to ask if I was still around and should he join me for what was
hoped to be the SPECTACULAR to follow!
Together we wandered up the the
Privet Hedge
where already one of the
SHORT-EARED OWLs
was in a tussle with a Kestrel,
was in a tussle with a Kestrel,
which was followed by what might be described as a
Full Repertoire
by no fewer than c5 birds
flying,
calling,
at perch
and even occasionally
displaying.
Birds or not, Portland is always Great Value with the brief visit, and
unexpected company, very much enjoyed as my day and trip disappeared into the
Birds or not, Portland is always Great Value with the brief visit, and
unexpected company, very much enjoyed as my day and trip disappeared into the
SUNSET
(looking back south west down Bill Road)
Trivia:- A
Nantucket Sleighride was a term
used by Whale Hunters, out of the port of the same name, to describe the events
following the hand-harpooning of a Whale from a small open boat. The distressed animal would attempt to flee and thus drags
the boat along with it, sometimes up to speeds of 25 mph.
The 'keyboard riff’ mid-way and at the end was once signature tune for the TV
programme ‘Weekend World’.
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