Beach Structures

Borth and Ynyslas are supposed to be getting some new sea defences soon. In fact they should have started work on them already and the plan is to create a couple of offshore reefs at the south end of the beach and some large rock groynes on the beach. I don’t think too many people are that keen on the look of them or the impact they will have on the beach aesthetics. Some of us aren’t convinced about the effectiveness of them as coastal defences either but if they work I’ll guess we’ll get used to the look of them.

Afterall, when the existing groynes were installed it must have completely changed the look of the beach but now we couldn’t imagine Borth and Ynyslas without them.

I’ve just been out for a stroll on the beach to check the surf. There wasn’t much surf but it was a gorgeous autumnal morning. Cold with a light easterly wind and clear blue skies. I couldn’t resist taking some photos of the patterns in the sand.

One of the new species from last nights moth catch was an Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor). It is quite an iconic species, and rightly so with its stunning pink and tan colours. My earlier photos of it just didn’t do it justice, so here are a few more of a slightly fresher specimen now that I’ve had some time to take some shots in the sunshine.

Hope you like them.

Elephant Hawkmoth

Elephant Hawkmoth

Elephant Hawkmoth

Following on from the early spring garden flowers which were mainly yellow – Daffodils, Marsh Marigold, Celandine and of course dandelions, the garden turned a shade of blue in May with Bluebells, Forget-me-Nots and Periwinkles and now the garden seems to be moving into a purple mood with Irises, Geraniums, Lilacs and others.

Just a few photos of our group from the Wotton Triathlon thanks to Matts’ Dad.

It seems as though the photos of the mating pair of Dasystoma salicella moths I took at the weekend have been in demand. I posted one of them on a forum and immediately had a couple of people ask if they could use it for their own personal records. Obviously I didn’t mind and sent them copies of the photos.

Since then I’ve been in contact with Ian at UK Moths who had photos of the larval stage, but not the adults of Dasystoma salicella, so the UK Moths website is now using my photo to illustrate the species. In addition, Mike from Hants Moths was in a similar position and requested use of the photo too.

If only I had realised that it was such an un-photogenic species at the time, I may have spent a little more time and effort getting a few more shots.

Amorous Couple - Dasystoma salicella

Just a couple of photos of birds in the garden. There are a lot that I still need to photograph from the garden species list and I’m sure I can improve on some of these too, but here’s a female Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

Chaffinch

Blue Tit

Sat in the living room yesterday morning I saw a big flock of Curlew fly over the house and land in the field behind us. I was then determined to get some photos of these and the other coastal and estuarine birds around here. After a quick visit to A&E we went for a walk across the fields and along the banks of the River Leri.

There were quite a few birds around, the flock of curlew was a few hundred strong and there were loads of Lapwing, Canada geese on the water the odd Oyster Catcher, Plovers, Pipts (I think) and some flocks of a duck that I’ve yet to identify. I’m sure someone can identify it from the photos below.

Photographing them was however next to impossible. I’ve only got a 300mm lens so need to get quite close in order to get a decent photo. Having Morgan in tow to start with didn’t help either. I think I need a longer lens, a steadier hand, a bird hide and lots lots more patience! I’m nor giving up yet though and it is quite relaxing sitting on the banks of the river waiting for birds to come to you.

December the 1st, the first day of winter and after what turned out to be a very windy autumn, the weather is right on cue with the first frost.

The winds have eased here in Wales and we had a lovely clear night last night with a nice moon.

Winter Moon

The temperature dropped to -0.7ºC overnight nd then this morning there was a frost and a lovely sunrise.

Frosty Sunrise

We’ve just had some new artwork to brighten up our walls.

The first is a 85cmx60cm canvas from a photo I took earlier in the year. The photo was only taken on my compact camera so I wasn’t sure how good it would look blown up to that size, but it looks brilliant. The canvas wrap is really good too.

The second is a limited edition print of a Alison Bradley painting. No. 44 of 350 – Day’s End which is an atmospheric image of some surfers wandering up a Welsh beach after a surf session. Very fitting.