Sunshine of Your Love - Cream

 

From a couple of nights ago, a sight of the Portland Bill Lighthouse as most have never seen it before. Why it was illuminated no one seems to know but it did coincide with a visit by the Prime Minister to the Portland Olympic Complex. Thanks go to Martin Cade (Warden of the PBO) for kind permission to publish this amazing shot.

Also of great coincidence, today has been one of wall to wall sunshine (along with a gentle breeze) as we hoist the 'sunshine' flag of KAZAKHSTAN as the latest addition to the readership. Country number 173 we extend the usual warm welcome and hope that the LINK is spread throughout that land - Thank You! 

Another contribution from regular reader Paul Harris of this beautiful SMALL ARGENT and SABLE Moth

My day, as usual, started in the cemetery where all the singing was coming from singles of Goldcrest and Coal Tit but was soon blocked out by a cacophony of noise from the other side of the road. As I approached 2 large Fir Trees c6 CARRION CROWs flew off leaving just c55 others clinging to the branches. This has to be a record count for the site, and I feel sure there were more hidden by foliage that went uncounted.

Low tide at Ferry Bridge found several RINGED PLOVER and a similar number of Dunlin keeping company with

c20 BLACK-HEADED 

and c2 MEDITERRANEAN GULLs

 

one of which obligingly did a little wing stretching.

c4 SANDERLING and singles of both Oystercatcher and Turnstone were also seen.

 

Across Beach Road the grassy west shore of Portland Harbour was pretty much alive with COMMON BLUE Butterflies, one even managing a balancing act atop a Snail Shell.

There was also a BUSH CRICKET Sp on a LICHEN covered post

as the BRAZILIAN SAILING TEAM VAN drove past.

At the Bill the MERLIN HELICOPTER from HMS Bulwark were flying much closer to the shore making for a fine photo opportunity. I was thinking and hoping that they were giving crew members a chance of viewing this extraordinary coastline from above? Apart for a single Wheatear and a Melodious Warbler that was seen only briefly by a few (not me) there were little in the way of birds, but that was certainly redressed by numbers of Moths caught overnight.

Cream of the Crop as far as I was concerned were a male and

 

female FOUR-DOTTED FOOTMAN, only my second sighting of this insect,

and similarly DEWICK'S PLUSIA

of which the 'first' was in my own trap about 30 years ago when it qualified as only the 16th record for the United Kingdom. Since then this migrant has become more frequent but still considered a very good capture by any Mother.

BROOM on the other hand was my first ever,

but then things started to get a little more common with this pair of RUBY TIGERs,

a good number of SILVER Y's, which a a very common migrant and

ORANGE FOOTMAN.

One of my personal favourites is KENT BLACK ARCHES and finally another couple of photographs from the Warden,

Another DEWICK'S PLUSIA from a few days ago

 

 and 2 WORMWOOD SHARKs from around the same period.

Wandering home there were SCARLET PIMPERNEL,

COMMON KESTREL and

COMMON TOADFLAX while stopping for a Cider with the Secret Lemonade Drinker,

there was a STOCK DOVE, Great Spotted Woodpecker (unusual here), 

a COMMON DARTER and Southern Hawker Dragonflies.

Pictures Of Lily - The Who

Rain predominated during the early part of the day. but I was little perturbed as I was off for a serious drink with John and Maggie Gifford along with my friend Lesley.

My first observations where these

 

murals of which I know nothing about but find artistically pleasing! I did think of the Who song which is today's headline!

WOOD PIGEON

Well, it had to come sooner or later! This, one of c7 WHEATEAR at the Bill this morning was a long awaited 'Year Tick'.

SHUTTLE-SHAPED DART

DRINKER

SPECTACLE

Showing the 'roundels' that give it the name.

DUSKY SALLOW

LEAST YELLOW UNDERWING

CORONET

and unknown, which I know is common but I cannot recall.

SCARLET TIGER

The SUNFLOWER Field opposite the Bird Observatory

COMMON BUZZARD

moving from pillar

to Post

The Trinity House Vessel GALATEA maintaining the East Shambles Buoy

WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY

For Whom The Bell Tolls - Metallica

Early morning, and already both crowds and clouds were gathering with the forecaster promising some heavy showers that so far hadn't deterred the Olympic fans.

As I wandered around Weymouth. more and more people were arriving and like a small army heading for their chosen vantage point on the 2 large screens on the beach. For me it was a trip to Portland

where what is known as the MONO PROJECT gains momentum. We have already reported on the bell, fashioned after the fossil bearing Roach Stone, and even before alighting the bus

 

the latest addition could already be seen towing above the blocks of stone. It may be an idea to give some directions for those who may like to visit, starting at the George Pub at the top of Reforne, Easton

Walking towards St GEORGE's CHURCH turn right onto Wide Street and almost immediately on the left is Bowers Quarry. Regardless of the 'No Unauthorised Access', there is a public footpath signed to West Cliff. You now have the Church to your left. Follow signs to The Mine and shortly the direction becomes obvious.

The BAMBOO TOWER stands about 60 feet tall

and encircled by some beautiful stone carvings.

Unfortunately, I chopped the nose off the GALAPAGOS GIANT TORTOISE mainly because I had just squirted a bolt of suntan lotion in my eye (not on purpose you understand).

It was only after standing beneath the structure to take these shots did I notice

 

this sign.

 

Noting the lashings securing the lengths of Bamboo reminded me of a group of Hong Kong Chinese ladies known by most sailors visiting the Island as Jenny's Side Party who would build scaffold, in similar style, on ships sides as a platform for them to paint and clean the ship. The Link will give a far better idea.

It was also a great pleasure to meet Dutchman Antoon Versteegde and his wife, with more at  BamBoeBus

The MONO BELL is also at the same site, which I am told is to be replaced at a later date by a much larger version when it is finally cast.

All of this plus the splendid view surely has to be worth the journey to Portland?

Roach is an oolitic limestone dominated by abundant fossil shells, ... They have a screw-like appearance when its internal spiral whorls are exposed.

 

Some views on leaving the site.

 While the rest of us were trying to get up close to a SAILOR here in Weymouth on Sunday, Matt Harris (son of Paul and Annie) was flexing his 'Access All Areas Pass' in the Olympic stadium. Not really a patch on those up the Nothe as he only got this close to the FASTEST MAN on the PLANET!

Thanks for considering myself and the readership Matthew - STUNNING!

PS - Start a Blog and I'll have to send the Boy's over!