Gannets Galore!

So after last weeks trials and tribulations at work, my weekend turned into something rather special.

For a couple of years, I have been trying to get onto a birdwatching cruise with the RSPB but unfortunately the weather has meant cancellations for both of my previous bookings.
However, this weekend I finally made it!

To be honest, until a couple of years ago, I could never really find any interest in sea birds, but since discovering Bempton RSPB reserve I have found a new fascination for them. Unlike most people though, the puffins are not my favourites.

I absolutely love the Gannets. Their fantastic white plumage, yellow head & blue eye ring - superb birds. To see them clinging to the cliffs or suspending themselves in the wind currents at the tops of the cliffs is amazing. Seeing them from sea level is even better!

Sailing from Bridlington, the cruise went north past Flamborough, and up to the RSPB reserve at Bempton. Almost as soon as we were out of Bridligton harbour we were seeing Cormorants & Shags, drying themselves on buoys. Great birds - almost pterodactyl-like in appearance. From here, the bird sightings just didn't stop. Rafts of Razorbills & Guillemots everywhere, as well as incoming & outgoing groups darting across the surface of the water.

As we passed Flamborough and then on to Bempton, the Gannets became more numerous. Sitting at the bottom of the Bempton cliffs, looking up at thousands of chattering, screaming Gannets, snapping at each other, gliding, soaring, fishing - it was an awesome sight and something I will never forget.

Beautiful Evening

After a god awful day at work, life has treated me to a blue sky of screaming swifts tonight - suddenly I'm feeling better with the world again.













I've also had time at last to edit some photographs I took at Blacktoft Sands the other day. I was lucky enough to see a pair of Marsh Harriers & loads of avocets.

Slacker

So, my blogging foundered and sank in the harbour before I even reached the open sea . . . hmmm, not a particularly auspicious start. However, rather than launching into apologies and new promises of blogging every day and some such rubbish, I've decided to just accept the fact that I had (and indeed have) more important things in my life than splurging my thoughts on the internet.


I'm glad that's out of the way.

The need for e-splurging, however has been rekindled, probably by the amount of nonsense floating around in my world at the moment. I really feel the need to fill my conciousness with things that matter to me at the moment rather than the stuff that shouldn't.

A while ago at work, I got one of those circulated funny e-mails that actually struck a chord with me so I thought I'd share it with you:


When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty
space between the sand. The students laughed." Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your friends, your children, your health, and your favourite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first" he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Take your friends for drinks. Play another 18 holes of golf. Call a friend for no particular reason. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."

So, I'm off for some physio this afternoon to look after my health and then this evening, there might even be time for a glass of wine with Annie . . .