The Owls of Bath

The lovely little Georgian town of Bath has been invaded by very large owla: here are just a few (there are many more and a whole trail to follow that takes you around them). 

Owl announcement in parade gardens

by the river.

On the Georgian streets

by the phone box

photobombed in the high street

with a friend by the station

Steam-Driven Steam Boats

Here's a wonderful thing that came to town recently as part of a steam fair: steam-driven swing boats - a thrill of years long gone but still working. Between the two boats sits a mighty steam engine, putting out great gouts of smoke.

One of the boats at full swing, showing the union jack flag on its underneatrh.

The whole ensemble is beautifully painted and maintained. To the rear of the steam engine is a small pipe organ complete with a mechanical conductor.

A painted detail - all very patriotic.

One of the fair's accompanying vehicles. 

Whales in Danger: Call to action.

Here are some words from me on the current grave concerns around the whaling issue - published by my friends at Humane Society Australia: Click HERE to read.

Expedition to Exmoor

I am fortunate in not living far from Exmoor - one of the UK's national parks. This means I can easily head out that way with the family for a short break in a wildlife-rich landscape of moors, cliffs and woods. This visit finds the fields yellow and brown and coincides with the breaking of a hot summer drought. 

Low clouds creep along the fringes of Woody Bay bringing moisture to the woodlands that coat the steep cliffs. 

A Jay high in a conifer: Woody Bay

Bumblebee - one of hundreds harvesting pollen in a lavender bed: Tapley House

Young blue tit - perhaps experiencing its first rainfall: Woody Bay

Great spotted woodpecekrs at the bird feeder: Woody Bay

'Lyn': Woody Bay Station 

A blanket of cloud creeps across the Devon landscape

Lesser Horseshoe Bats via the 'batcam' at Arlington Court. The bats have their large babies wrapped in their wings

Silhouetted raven: Arlington House

More creeping clouds around Woody Bay

Delicate fungi: Watersmeet

Grey wagtail: Watersmeet

Young robin: Watersmeet

Speckled Wood: Woody Bay

Red Admiral: Valley of the Rocks

Common Blue near Lee Abbey

The Gatekeeper: Braughton Burrows

Kestrel: Braughton Burrows

'Dune bunny': Braughton Burrows

Hare: Braughton Burrows

Waterfall neat Watersmeet

Brown trout: East Lyn River

Portsmouth in the heat