Tag: Clouds

On December 16th, 2023, I assembled a recapping blog entry showcasing the first fourteen parts of a daily trek challenge which I began on May 1st, 2023.

The blog which assembles those entries can be viewed at this link: Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14) – Whaligoe Eye

The daily trek challenge began on May 1st, 2023, hopes were high that I could walk and document life down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day until May 1st, 2024. This was initially going to be utilising commentary and photography, but latterly has incorporated wee video clips too.

Personally, with all that life throws at us, something of this discipline is hard to achieve.

It is the three hundred and forty second day of my daily trek challenge and I can happily report that I remain on target to succeed in this ongoing endeavour.

Today is a Saturday, full of overcast skies and strong gusts, visitors are still dropping by to visit this location. Life goes on.

It’s also a good time to have fun with numbers. For example, roughly I may well have walked two hundred and three thousand, one hundred and forty eight steps thus far. Another way to look at such a distance is to say I have walked one hundred and one miles.

This achievement has highlighted the extraordinary stamina and results of those individuals who tackle the remarkable ‘Land’s End to John O’ Groats’ trek – Traditionally seen as the most extreme journey by foot within the United Kingdom, starting out in western Cornwall, England, and eventually finishing up in the northern territories of Scotland.

I’ve only managed perhaps a sixth or an eighth of what that distance would encompass. But still, it’s provided an insight to a coastal way of life, for those who would frequent the trail or stone steps down this cliff to the North Sea below.

Below is a photographic highlight which can be found via this link: Daily Trek Challenge (Part 15) – Whaligoe Eye (November 13th up to and including November 26th, 2023)

Dramatic skies are vibrant in the photograph below, found via the following link: Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

Photograph of the sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps, found via the following link: Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023 – Whaligoe Eye (December 11th, 2023 up to and including December 24th, 2023)

A serene rainbow captured during the fortnight I document during my daily trek challenge via the following link: New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge! – Whaligoe Eye (December 25th, 2023 up to and including January 7th, 2024)

Winter weather strikes me as I tackle another fortnight of daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps: Daily Trek Challenge in January! – Whaligoe Eye (January 8th up to and including January 21st, 2024)

The moon tries to hide unsuccessfully during another fortnight of daily treks: Spring Whispers on a Daily Trek Challenge… – Whaligoe Eye (January 22nd up to and including February 4th, 2024)

A mixture of weather conditions captured during my daily treks throughout February: Frozen Frolicking in Fabulous February… – Whaligoe Eye (February 5th, 2024 up to and including February 18th, 2024)

Short video clip of the Whaligoe Steps waterfall: Dancing Waterfalls To Windswept Songs – Whaligoe Eye (February 19th up to and including March 3rd, 2024)

March offers up some pleasant weather in 2024: Beautiful Nights and Daily Flights – Whaligoe Eye (March 4th up to and including March 17th, 2024)

Beautiful coastal signs of spring photographed in another fortnight of daily treks: March Springs with Light and Life – Whaligoe Eye (March 18th up to and including March 31st, 2024)

Thank you for your kindness and support up to this point. All going well, I’ll be sharing another blog entry as April continues to entertain with changing weather conditions and visitors continue to arrive in larger numbers. At the time of this entry, the Bink (grassy platform at the base of the six flights of Whaligoe Steps) is still quite muddy and slippery, so caution is advised.

Take care, stay safe and thank you for being You.

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Welcome to part 24 documenting my daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps. This fortnight covers Monday, March 18th up to and including Sunday, March 31st, 2024.

My intention is to tackle three hundred and sixty five consecutive trips around this region of the northern Scottish coastline, photographing and documenting the changing of the seasons, and to get a better insight into what it must have been like for the fishing industry and general life within this picturesque location over the previous centuries.

There were plenty of ‘new-to-2024’ moments this couple of weeks, like primrose blossoming, Eider duck swimming, pied wagtail in snow or a sighting of a rock pipit among other delights. As usual, I have photographs and also a couple of small clips to share.

March 18th, 2024: Sunlight shimmers on the tides.

Birdlife at Whaligoe Steps is rejoicing in the humble beginnings of Spring. Below is a windswept gull taking in a view.

March 19th, 2024: Clouds formed to create such varying canvas for light. Silhouettes found opportunities to spread their wings.

March 20th, 2024: A fulmar plays peek-a-boo to a clear blue sky, whilst a fishing boat slips by almost unnoticed behind a foreground of daffodils.

March 21st, 2024: Primroses are popping up in the grass and vegetation around Whaligoe Steps. These splashes of colour and vibrancy really add to the ambience of spring.

The moon on this Thursday evening was serene.

March 22nd, 2024: A silhouette whispers to a backdrop of overcast sky.

Below, you can also see the generous flow of the top section of the waterfall. During this fortnight, it has been chilled by a cold spell, windswept and soaked in sunshine.

March 23rd, 2024: Mute your volume for the clip before you play it. Blustery conditions while standing 250 feet up from the North Sea, panning along the horizon from the South section of the coastline view to eventually end up at the waterfall.

March 24th, 2024: On my ascent and wrapping up another daily trek, I suddenly became aware of a beautiful birdsong. During my first daily treks in 2023 tackling what seemed like an impossible challenge, a feathered friend kept me company.

Below, is my first encounter in 2024 of the wee wren which frequents this part of the coastline.

March 25th, 2024: Another fulmar looks on during a chilly morning trek.

There have been some beautiful moon-related moments during this fortnight in late March, and on this occasion I had my camera handy. A bright moon shines above some fluffy cloud formations which add personality to the lights which litter the distant horizon.

March 26th, 2024: What a Tuesday morning this one proved to be! I ventured onwards during a snowfall and was successful in capturing a moment with a local pied wagtail, as primrose felt burdened by the frozen tears of a brief winter flurry.

The sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps which descends directly onto the Bink, communicated the lightweight tone of this last gasp of freezing weather.

March 27th, 2024: Within a few hours, the snow had melted. During a wet Wednesday I was spoilt by the appearance of a skipping rock pipit.

In conjunction with birdwatching, the view was sporadically distracted with primrose flowers bursting through the rustic landscape.

March 28th, 2024: Eider duck according the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, are the heaviest and fastest flying ducks in the United Kingdom – Eider Duck Facts | Somateria Mollissima (rspb.org.uk)

Also below, an example of some waves reaching upwards to grab sunlight.

March 29th, 2024: It really was a ‘Good Friday’, with a radiant daffodil and a couple of contented rabbits enjoying the beginning of an Easter weekend.

Happy Easter!

March 30th, 2024: Plenty of early morning sunshine compliments the wildlife and flowers. Beautiful bloom and glowing plumage.

Visitors were certainly out and about around Whaligoe Steps as minor congestion built up outside my window. My parking space was used by those who needed it, and there was an active and positive atmosphere in the air.

March 31st, 2024: Easter Sunday began with a beautiful sunrise, as the moon was off to my right. It’s such a special ambience when both the sun and the moon come out to play simultaneously.

I wasn’t the only spectator who had the good fortune to witness this sunrise…

So that’s another fortnight covering my daily trek challenge, as I walk down and around Whaligoe Steps. Aiming for 365 consecutive days of documenting my findings and observations. Spring has most certainly arrived, and there are many examples of wildlife and flora showing signs of new life around these parts.

There are more signs of life on the North Sea too, as the tides are calmer and the sun is brighter.

Traffic in the car park and the only access point has significantly increased, so please keep that in mind if you’re planning to visit.

Thought I’d share this observation from March 31st. Not only more vehicles on the roads around here and in the North Sea with boating activity, but also an aeroplane or two in the sky.

Before I leave you with this blog entry, if you have a moment I filmed a relaxing clip as I sat on the pebble shore with the tide out. In the foreground are rock pools as your eye travels out to sea…

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Welcome to part 20 of my attempt to share and document treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, for each and every day from May 1st, 2023 up to and including May 1st, 2024. Enjoying and enduring depending on what’s relevant; stormy weather, sunrises, natural wonders, beautiful views and amazing experiences.

Despite witnessing several sunrises, the one thing I agree with is how each one has a unique personality. The above sunrise was captured on a trek during the morning of February 3rd, 2024.

Below is a blog which tackles coverage from Monday, January 22nd up to and including Sunday, February 4th, 2024. Hope you enjoy the first grey seal sighting this year, the sunrises, waterfall and the hints of spring as the seabirds gather on the rocky ledges around here.

Jan. 22nd, 2024: Cloudy trek meant that the sun was concealed, but it didn’t slow down any attempts to shine.

Jan. 23rd, 2024: The bend as the top flight works a route directly into the second flight. The descent down the six zig-zagging sets of stone steps is still quite something even after all these years.

Jan. 24th, 2024: Talking of that descent, it’s best to take it at a snail’s pace.

Jan. 25th, 2024: Steady intervals of showers meant the ground was wet underfoot, plus with melting snow from days earlier all around, water was abundant beside a large mass like the North Sea.

Jan. 26th, 2024: During this Friday morning trek, I found myself gazing at a splendid moon.

Jan. 27th, 2024: Windswept waterfall generously gushing down the impressive coastal cliffs around Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 28th, 2024: The remaining boat winch located between the pebble shores and the Bink, without snow on it this time…

Jan. 29th, 2024: A wonderful time of year to hug each other in the name of staying warm. Below is a pair of fulmars which have been entertaining company in these recent weeks as they gather on the many ledges.

Jan. 30th, 2024: What a fine morning crowned with a glorious sunrise.

Jan. 31st, 2024: A breezy trek which held me in a gaze towards the shallow cave and the pebble shorelines. These are a little cumbersome to negotiate depending on your physical presence, but occasionally I see visitors down there enjoying echoes against the cliff face or generally exploring.

Feb. 1st, 2024: Both sides of the moon during the morning haze.

Feb. 2nd, 2024: I thought I saw a wabbit, I did! I did!…

Feb. 3rd, 2024: The North Sea wears many masks, but below you’ll see the softer side and the twinkle as sunlight reflects. An anchor which is broken is held in place by a large rock, moved by recent storms.

Feb. 4th, 2024: Salutations to the wonderful grey seal, first sighting of 2024. Hopefully, they’ll be a regular visitor as sadly the body of another recent grey seal was washed ashore during December.

That’s all folks for another fortnight of visits down and around Whaligoe Steps. I mentioned it before, but the thought of local folk in previous generations negotiating the steps on a regular basis, carrying containers of fish and all manner of items in all weathers really speaks volumes. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.

All going well, the next blog entry will be covering and documenting highlights from Monday, February 5th up to and including Sunday, February 18th, 2024.

Thank you, only always, for your kindness and support. Take care and know I’m sending you positive wishes.

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EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

Welcome to my challenge of venturing down and around Whaligoe Steps for each and every day for an entire year. As my adventures continue, I’m accumulating quite a few photographs and also documenting a lot of activity. Therefore, I felt it only appropriate to provide you with links from my previous blogs…

Here are some links to previous blog entries showcasing my visits from May 1st, 2023, up to and including Sunday, November 12th, 2023…

Enjoy!

New Challenge (Part 1) – Whaligoe Eye

New Challenge (Part 2) – Whaligoe Eye

New Challenge (Part 3) – Whaligoe Eye

New Challenge (Part 4) – Whaligoe Eye

New Challenge (Part 5) – Whaligoe Eye

New Challenge (Part 6) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Challenge (Part 7) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Challenge (Part 8) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Challenge (Part 9) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 10) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 11) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 12) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 13) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps – Three Hundred and Sixty Five (Part 14) – Whaligoe Eye

The first fourteen blogs covering my daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps since May 1st, 2023 up to and including November 12th, 2023.

I hope you find it interesting, maybe beautiful and also stimulating. To focus attention on one specific location and watch it evolve and change over the seasons thus far, has proved most intriguing.

Nature continues to share changes and new revelations. I’m currently in the process of sorting two more blogs bringing us up to speed with the calendar as I have successfully maintained my daily treks to this very point in time.

Thank you, only always for dropping by and supporting my endeavours and for being You.

Until the next one, take care and be safe.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

TWITTER (X) – Gary: Gary (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

TWITTER (X): Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

My daily treks down and around this engineering marvel, located along the coastline in Caithness continue. This blog entry shares with you another fortnight, dated from October 30th, 2023 up to November 12th, 2023…

The skies were notable at this time for being spectacular, adding a precious ambience to the experience of capturing nature here in this picturesque location.

Previous blog – Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 13) – Whaligoe Eye

Welcome once more to Whaligoe Steps…

Oct. 30th, 2023: Clouds were sauntering through rich blue skies, whilst the ‘forgotten’ flight of Whaligoe Steps juggled with rain and hints of grass.

Oct. 31st, 2023: Sunrise wrestled with more clouds during this Tuesday trek.

As I ascended the steps, I was greeted by my first sighting of the robin this autumn.

Nov. 1st, 2023: Ventured into the shallow cave on the pebble shoreline.

Since storm Babet, I’m still discovering the changes within the landscape around here. This includes how the rusty broken anchor has been moved and partly covered.

Nov. 2nd, 2023: It doesn’t happen every morning, but it’s a treat to witness both the sun in one direction and the moon in the other. The photos below show how prominent the moon was during this particular trek.

Nov. 3rd, 2023: Unsettled weather was captured as waves whipped up into gusty symphonies.

Nov. 4th, 2023: Star was attentive and delightful as she always is.

A clattering of jackdaws enjoy the sunshine which coats a roaming fence.

Nov. 5th, 2023: Two faces of the North Sea captured in one trek. Waves excitable reach for the skies, and then a little later there were tranquil waters.

Nov. 6th, 2023: A wild rabbit plays peek-a-boo.

I found that Whaligoe Steps has a heart of stone.

Nov. 7th, 2023: Landscape moments where perception is captured from a distance. Looking down on the Bink where the North Sea shares a clarity.

The waterfall here continues to flow with abundant energy.

Nov. 8th, 2023: Ambience of another cloudy autumnal day.

Nov. 9th, 2023: On this Thursday trek, I was fortunate to see two versions of a sunrise. A softer glow behind swaying flora was the first encounter.

Then a little later, a fire sandwiched between well defined clouds.

Nov. 10th, 2023: Standing beside the old Salt House down on the Bink gives a sense of history within this coastal environment.

During this trek, I pondered over the vastness of the enduring tides of the North Sea.

Nov. 11th, 2023: Temperatures fell during these treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, but still the sun watched from afar.

Pleasant ambience on this early Saturday afternoon.

Nov. 12th, 2023: Silhouettes.

Wrap up warm and know you’re appreciated. Thank you for your generosity of time and for your support, they mean a lot.

Until the next one, take care.

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EMAIL: WhaligoeEye@gmail.com

Since the 1st of May, 2023, I decided I was going to capture images for a daily visit down Whaligoe Steps over a whole year. That’s the equivalent of around 365 visits or more. Thus far, I’m still on target to reach this ambitious goal.

There have been two previous blog entries which showcase some highlighted photographic moments which you can visit by clicking on these two links: New Challenge (Part 1) – Whaligoe Eye and New Challenge (Part 2) – Whaligoe Eye

This next blog entry reveals some highlights selected for May 29th, 2023 and every consecutive day until June 11th, 2023… Nature in all of it’s proverbial glory, rain or shine!

May 29th, 2023: Sunny morning stroll down Whaligoe Steps, met a lovely Canadian couple who made a new friend of Star (the resident cat). During my relaxing expedition I saw a glimpse of a grey seal, in and among soaking up the ambience.

May 30th, 2023: Seabirds were active during this Tuesday morning. The photo above shows a triple dose of male eider ducks mingling with a shag and a great black-backed gull. As I captured the moment of social interaction, behind me was an angle of the shallow cave from a lower location than is usually observed. The pebble shores in this instance are submerged beneath the surface of the North Sea.

May 31st, 2023: Rock pipit on one of the remaining walls still standing for the old salt house on the Bink. I thought I’d share the other photo as it has a puffin hanging out with guillemots as they all go swimming. There’s a wee colony of puffins not far from Whaligoe Steps, and occasionally one is sighted within this inlet.

June 1st, 2023: Above are photos of some striking thrift which is abundant at the moment, plus on this particular trek down Whaligoe Steps, a sighting of two boats passing each other on the North Sea. Due to the calmer waters at this time of year, I’ve observed a lot more traffic using this picturesque stretch of sea.

June 2nd, 2023: Charlie Juhlenski, the Stonemason who worked on the restoration of the first three flights of Whaligoe Steps in recent years, has set up a touching tribute to his Mother Etta. This can be found located at the top of Whaligoe Steps. Next to the plaque is an authentic example of Caithness slab stone which has scribed in yellow chalk – “In 1792, the Steps were built. 230 years old”.

June 3rd, 2023: Razorbill dancing in the North Sea, while a little later during some birdwatching I noticed an oystercatcher exploring some rock.

June 4th, 2023: A dandelion attracts some curious flies, oblivious to the crowd of guillemots which hustle and bustle along some coastal rock at Whaligoe Steps.

June 5th, 2023: The sea during my trek on Monday was so clear and so still, it was beautiful. In my other photo, a close up of mayweed doing an impression of the Three Tenors.

June 6th, 2023: Abundant Cow parsley crowds some thrift. Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) enjoying moments of sun, I bet they have quite a view too!

June 7th, 2023: A ‘Cirrocumulus’ cloud formation greeted me on my trek providing quite a beautiful sky. Visibility of Beatrice offshore wind farm was good for a few days, and I took a photo of a seabird between wind turbines. There are eighty-four wind turbines which are just over eight miles from the Caithness coastline. It became operational back in 2019.

June 8th, 2023: Don’t tell anyone, but I have a wishlist of natural wonders I would love to catch in a photograph. Since beginning this challenge, I’ve already exceeded expectations with a photo of a local deer, an otter and now resident bunnies!

Before I fully descended Whaligoe Steps on this particular morning, my periphery was drawn to a white splodge which caught the bright sunshine. It became apparent that this was no seagull, but a rabbit going about it’s business! I believe it’s being sociable with a jackdaw whilst the other photo showcases a more predictable rabbit image which was situated further along the top of the cliff edge.

June 9th, 2023: There used to be more than one boat winch at the base of Whaligoe Steps, but if you visit at the time of this blog entry you’ll only see one. Birdwatching and identifying has taken me on quite a learning journey which I’m thankful for. The photo above is of a pied wagtail.

June 10th, 2023: Black headed gull flies in the beautiful azure skies, while on the ground a razorbill ponders over the magic of sunbathing.

June 11th, 2023: Some beautiful wildflowers to finish this blog entry. During my Sunday afternoon trek, I observed pink campion being radiant despite overcast skies. Meanwhile, a wild rose graces the verge of the zig-zagging Whaligoe Steps…

Keeping my fingers crossed, I hope to be sharing another fortnight with you at some point as I continue my challenge to capture images of nature and events here at Whaligoe Steps each day for a whole year.

Thank you again to those who stop and talk to me, it’s always appreciated and enjoyable.

I’ll keep updating the ‘Postcards’ section as and when I get photographs of visitors. Thank you to those who are happy to share in the moment, it’s appreciated and really communicates a memory.

Until next time, take care and safe travels…

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( Summer is getting closer, photograph of the garden during the afternoon of June 11th, 2023…)