Salix ageyptiaca...

The arrival of spring seems to have slowed down, at least along the banks of the lower reaches of the Stour river, Dorset. What promised to be an early start this year seems to have now got in synch with the rest of the season. Some of the trees along the riverbank are only now producing displays of blossom like the example here.
The image is of Musk Willow catkins (male).

© 2007

Vernal Equinox...

Today is officially the first day of spring, but here in southern UK the temperature is only 7 degrees. Couple that with the wind chill factor, and it feels like 3 degrees. However, the skies are clear and there are signs that nature is beginning to awaken, with blossoms on trees already evident.
The River Stour, which runs through Dorset before it enters the sea, was alive with waterfowl this morning, making photographing the birds easy.
The image is of a Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

© 2007

Discarded cola bottle...

These things are all over the place, polluting the beaches everywhere you go. Some of the more remote stretches of coastline I visit are clogged with this man-made junk.

Pier renovation...

This image shows the scaffolding being dismantled from the entrance to Boscombe pier early today.

© 2007

Deckchairs...

The scaffolding surrounding the entrance to Boscombe pier was being removed early this morning, suggesting that at least part of the renovation was now complete, although this only appears to be external areas.
A member of the beach office staff informed me that the pier head removal by barge was due to start late April or early May, so images like the one here will soon become a thing of the past.

© 2007

Cat's Squirrel...

The weather in my neck of the woods promises to be better than of late this weekend, so today I'm taking the opportunity to shoot some images of early spring. The Grey squirrel is not native to this country, nor do they hibernate: but they are prominent in woodlands, having ousted the indigenous Red squirrel to only a few isolated locations. One such place is Brownsea island in nearby Poole harbour: a location I hope to visit during the coming months in search of the elusive Red.

© 2007

There is no dark side of the Moon, really...

This evening, most of the planet witnessed a total Lunar eclipse, and in southern UK the skies remained clear for the event. The image was made at 21:50 hrs from the coast of Dorset, and is 92 minutes into the eclipse.

© 2007

Spring has arrived...

Although there were signs of an early appearance at the beginning of February, it's taken until this week for the daffodils to make the familiar display that heralds the arrival of spring. The fact that it has been a warm winter in southern UK is born out by insect activity, with several species being observed earlier than usual.

© 2007