It was lovely last weekend.
Sunshine, blue skies – too good to hide away at home.
I took my camera out with me
and it appears to have developed an annoying blob! I don’t know if a bit of sea
spray got onto the lens or what, but I’ve tried cleaning it with a microfiber
cloth to no avail. Anyone have any ideas on what to do – apart from get a new
camera?
I watched the birds scurrying
around on the beach.
Oyster catchers.
Herring gulls. He wasn’t
scurrying. He was paddling.
There were lots of these
little birds which I think are Turnstones (the one in the photo is obligingly turning a stone or it might be a shell), but someone out there might know
better.
But what is that mystery
small grey bird? Anyone know? I’ve been through my RSPB book of birds and I
can’t find anything like it.
Also saw a nifty bit of
parking.
Big boat comes in (ignore the blob!).
Big boat turns round.
Big boat faces opposite
direction.
Big boat parks – sorry there
isn’t a photo of that, but it was taking such a long time to reverse and it had
to go quite a way once it had turned. I was sitting on a bench watching and
despite the sunshine it was chilly and I was getting a cold bum.
It used to drive one of my teachers mad that we all referred to the ships as boats and she was constantly correcting us and making us repeat the sentence saying ship instead. They say if it has one deck it's a boat and if it has more than one it's a ship. Or a ship can carry a boat, but a boat can't carry a ship. My dad was in the Royal then the Merchant Navy from a boy to the day he died. He called them boats.
We have a lot of mystery family photos, but my son has managed to identify a few. He's doing a series of posts telling the stories of family members during WWI. I had always wondered about the wistful looking boy in the photo and now I know more about him, William Frederick Victor Wells. You can read his story and see the photo at the Department of Diagnostic Genealogy.
We have a lot of mystery family photos, but my son has managed to identify a few. He's doing a series of posts telling the stories of family members during WWI. I had always wondered about the wistful looking boy in the photo and now I know more about him, William Frederick Victor Wells. You can read his story and see the photo at the Department of Diagnostic Genealogy.
Can't help with the blob issue, I'm afraid, Teresa but the photos turned out good despite that. Also, I now feel like I am an expert on boat parking and can't wait to have a try!
ReplyDeleteMust admit I've seen people faff about more parking a car, Wendy! x
DeleteAccording to Wikepedia, the bird looks like a Turnstone wader, and the grey one looks like it might be a Purple Sandpiper as they are often found together. It sounds like I know what I'm talking about. I don't!
ReplyDeleteThat was the closest I could find too, Maggie, but I think it's too silvery, more like a miniature gull if there was such a thing. Very pretty little things whatever they are x
DeleteDon't you 'moor' a boat? Only asking.... Good pics, despite the blob.
ReplyDeleteI think you tie them up, Frances x
DeleteLovely photos, Teresa. Can't help with blob problem, if you've tried cleaning the lens!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary. I could get rid of the blob with Photoshop - or pretend it's the sun hiding behind a cloud! x
DeleteTry wiping your camera lense with a slice of cut lemon. It might break the sea salt blob.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I'm going to give that a go. I'll let you know how I get on x
DeleteSuch an interesting post, Teresa, and super photos despite the blob!! We went for a walk on Sunday and you could - almost - believe Spring had sprung!! People are talking about snowdrops in abundance too. Another sign! Talking of snowdrops wish I could make them flourish in my containers :o) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I haven't seen any snowdrops and the ones in my garden seem to have vanished. They are such a welcome sight aren't they x
DeleteOyster catchers are one of my favourite seabirds. They look friendly.
ReplyDeleteYes they do look friendly and quite stunning x
DeleteMy hubby thinks it may be a Sanderling, Teresa.
ReplyDeleteThank you (and your hubby), Jan - it could well be a Sanderling. I'm afraid the photo isn't very good quality so it's hard to see much detail x
ReplyDeleteJan's hubby is right, it is a Sanderling, Teresa!
DeleteDoes the blob appear to be inside? If so it could be condensation. In which case leaving it in a warm place - such as near a radiator - for a while might do the trick. Good luck.
Thank you! I'll give that a try! x
DeleteGreat photo's Teresa. The bird ones would make lovely book covers. If you've had the camera less than 2 years, google the manufacturers, and go to the contact us part. Maybe they will have some answers. Or yahoo ask us section seems to have the answer to everything. Looking forward to reading up on your son's findings. You're not the only author in the family then? xxx
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of googling! Goodness knows why because I'm always on there looking things up! I've still to try Jacula's idea of the lemon slice. I'm far from the only author in the family I'm very pleased to say x
DeleteYour post has reminded me that though I'm an RSPB member, I know absolutely nowt about coastal birds. I really should get out more!
ReplyDeleteIt's only in recent years that I've started taking proper notice of the estuary birds and I'm amazed how many there are. I'm always seeing new (to me) ones x
DeleteI can't believe those pics were taken in February! The first ones look as if they were taken in exotic sunny faraway shores. I especially love the birdies!!
DeleteThe sea and sky were so blue last weekend - lovely to see and hopefully a taste of things to come - the birds were certainly out in force enjoying it x
DeleteSandpiper? Or is it sand piper? LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a boat too! Ships are like The starship Enterprise in my mind! LOL!
Take care
x
Yay a vote for a boat! Oh yes, I agree about the Starship Enterprise.
DeleteSandpiper is another likely candidate! x
Hi Teresa, sorry I'm coming a bit late to the party, but maybe you'll allow me to squeeze in another comment.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are great. I love those industrial marine scenes.Wouldn't even have noticed the blob if you hadn't mentioned it.
The little grey bird looks like a Dipper, except that he's the wrong colour. Maybe he's a hybrid?
And as far as I'm concerned, ships are big things with sails, boats are...well, boats. But I could be wrong. Rx
Thanks, Rena. Sailing ships and steamships but those big things, boats that's how I think of them x
DeleteI am not an expert in cameras or birds I'm afraid Teresa though I think you have had some suggestions already. We woke to see a large ship gliding past our window last week, whilst in Fowey, Cornwall. It was being rescued by tug boats from Fowey and had been on the news. Luckily we were decently clad as the deck was lined with people staring back at us. By the way, I did not see the grey bird at first and the blob looks like a cloud in that sky :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you were decent! Must have felt like you were on view! That grey bird is quite well camouflaged isn't it x
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