A beautifully stormy sky this morning, the ominous clouds to the south form dense clumps of dark grey rain cloud, while the sun shines through the edges highlighting crests of the fierce sea battering against the cliffs. Hidden under one dark cloud the outline of P&O Britannia and Cunard Queen Elizabeth two easy spots for an avid cruise ship watcher.
Some lovely fungus along the woodchip paths, Chicken of the Woods, Dead Man’s Fingers and a Bracket Fungus. I enjoy photographing the different colours, textures and patterns of our woodland fungi, I am better at that than identifying them. The sound of Blue-tit, Great-tit and Goldcrest created a delicate, calming feel to the morning.
Further out Green-Woodpeckers are a lovely sight at the moment, often hearing them before you see them. The bright red breast of the Bullfinch is also one to look out for, if you are up here walking pop into the hide over-looking the wildlife pond for some fabulous bird spots.
Approaching the sea, a feeding frenzy was happening just off Anvil Point Lighthouse, a group of 50+ Gannets were giving a spectacular display of their incredible diving technique, as they soared then dived streamlined into the water. Searching the water groups of Guillemots were bobbing on the waves, as the ledge was empty, I expect most of them were joining in on the catch. Adult and last year’s Herring Gulls were also in the mix. Above Tilly Whim a group of Pigeons braced themselves clinging to the edge of the cliff protected from the Westerly wind and the Peregrine Falcon was in its usual spot, surveying the cliffs and keeping watch.
If you are up here walking take a look through the Fine Foundation Gallery windows to see the latest exhibition ‘Unmasked’.