Same Old Story - Rory Gallagher

There was only one blessing as far as the weather was concerned today, and that is there was a good excuse for a 'slack hammock'. A naval expression for not being able to get out of bed in the morning, is something I have never subscribed to but why not under the circumstances. There had been a lull in the overnight rain at about 05:00 so thoughts had turned to catching the first of the ebb tide at Ferry Bridge, but it was all too short lived. When my feet finally hit the deck at 07:00 the rain was heavier than ever and since then both wind and rain have increased to make it a thoroughly miserable day.

However, we are now going to attempt to put a little sunshine into the mix, having selected 20 of the most colourful birds we have on archive, hoping this does the trick for all our readers.

BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA, Colombia

BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE-KINGFISHER, Australia

BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN TANAGER, Colombia

 

ABYSSINIAN ROLLER, The Gambia

 

DOUBLE-EYED FIG-PARROT, Australia

CHILEAN FLAMINGO, Peru

COLLARED TROGON, El Salvador

COMB-CRESTED JACANA, Australia

CRIMSON ROSELLA, Australia

EMPRESS BRILLIANT, Ecuador

FLAME-FACED TANAGER, Venezuela

GOULDIAN FINCH, Australia

PAINTED STORK, Sri Lanka

PURPLE-MANTLED TANAGER, Colombia

RAINBOW LORIKEET, Australia

RED-CRESTED CARDINAL, Argentina

RUFOUS MOTMOT, Panama

SCARLET MACAW, Guatemala 

STEELY-VENTED HUMMINGBIRD, Costa Rica 

TOUCAN BARBET, Ecuador

Ticking Away the Moments That Make Up A Dull Day

With prospect of another dry day it was worth the extra effort of being at the Supermarket at 05:30 with that mundane task being completed within the hour. Gloomy thus far, by the time I reached the ever changing face of Weymouth sands the sky even looked as if it were brightening but certainly not warm enough to take off the coat.

Where the contractors there preparing for another beach landing? No!

Or was it a re-make of Lawrence of Arabia? I think not! No, it was preparation of the walkways and plinth for the arrival of the Olympic Flame next week. We'll endeavour to keep you posted.

Along at the bus stop, it looked as if there was a swimmer in difficulty but it was soon apparent that it was 

a Life Boat drill, albeit on a surf board. Within a very short time the rescuer reached the casualty and deftly

flipping the board quickly rolled him onboard.

It was then just a matter of paddling back to the shore, which again was expertly done.

All was safely gathered in by the time I got on the bus, but little did I know that things were set to rapidly go down hill from then on. The rain started the very second I stepped onto Portland soil and there was to be no mercy. Hurrying to the Observatory I grabbed a quick coffee then decided to cut my losses and start, given the conditions, would be a long plod back to the bus. Only a few pace up Bill Road the same bus approached and the driver most kindly picked me up, some consolation for another thoroughly wet day. I am ever the optimist, but already I have visited the archive for tomorrows contribution - talk to you then!

Rebel, Rebel - David Bowie

There was a small moment of panic as I sprang from my bunk early morning, I thought I'd gone deaf! It wasn't until the local Herring Gulls flashed up that I realised all was well, it was just that there was no wind or rain trying to shatter the windows. A great day then for another wander around Portland, but that was before the Secret Lemonade Drinker phoned to say that he was still in pursuit of the elusive Dipper and we were going to Lyme Regis.

Time then to visit the cemetery where although my hearing was not impaired I rather wished I had remained dumb. It was stated at the time that I might be tempting providence as the wild flowers here were still in tact, but no more I'm afraid, all had been smashed to a mulch.

 

However, close by and at the end of Pottery Lane there is a small plot of what may be described as 'waste land' which now produces its own array of flowers, and it was today that they all seemed to bloom. Don't know what the top one is, but TEASEL centre and

 

an EVENING PRIMROSE Sp next.

Gary picked me up on the sea front and en-route we only stopped along the A35 to look over the Dorset Downlands toward the villages of Long and Little Bredy

Not a lot of people at LYME and finding a car park close to the sea, we took a look across the bay to the COBB and further round along

the PROMENADE.

A search along the lower reaches of the RIVER LYM came to nought as far as the Dipper was concerned,

 

but there was a rather splendid  GREY WAGTAIL in full voice.

We walked up as far as the road but decided that this month was not the best to see this novel little bird.

HERRING GULLs seem to be doing well here,

while the 'Banksy' Egret remains in place

and don't forget to get your money back!

Time for a quick photo call at the town Clock Tower

before we crossed the county border, with no problems with Visas, into Devonshire and the Black Hole 

Nature Reserve. Not a lot going on there, but a couple of Common Sandpiper, Shelduck with young, a Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 4 Curlew and a single WHIMBREL (a 'year tick for me) kept us entertain before moving on to

the 'REBEL TOWN' of COLYTON. As time is short I'll not caption each photograph

 

 

 

 

but just hope you enjoy this mini visual tour! 

 

The SEATON TRAMWAY.

On the way back, and just half a mile west of the village of Swyre on the B3157, Secret suggested we visit one of his favourite watering holes 'THE EGG CUP'.

Succulent ham, new laid eggs and perfectly cooked chips was complimented by one of the best cups of coffee in many a day,

we would both strongly recommend and suggest a visit.

If extra incentive were needed take a look at the view from the garden, a reciprocal of the one from the A35 earlier, and a warm friendly welcome why not take a drive out for breakfast or a late tea.

Finally, a couple of images from a little further afield, France in fact, where our friends Paul and Annie Harris have recently enjoyed a short break. Paul reports the moth traps to have been bulging with real goodies and by way of interesting bonus

the huge RHINOCEROS BEETLE

and PREYING MANTIS - Thanks for the contributions Paul.