Tag: Coastline

Part 22 of my daily trek challenge, where I document each and every day from May 1st, 2023, walking down and around Whaligoe Steps.

Hoping to reach May 1st, 2024, where I’ll eventually accumulate an entire year of visiting the impressive stone steps and the immediate environment around here.

Witnessing the waterfall, broken anchor, boat winch, sunrises, seabirds, Bink, the six flights of steps, snow, ice, rain, wind, pebble shore, Beatrice wind farm, horizons, wildlife, changing of seasons, wildflowers and so much more.

This blog entry is for the fortnight of Monday, February 19th, 2024 up to and including Sunday, March 3rd, 2024.

Feb. 19th, 2024: I mentioned it before, but after this area receiving the impact of two waves of ‘bird flu’ and really depleting the seabird activity and presence here in recent years, it has been a relief to witness the current movements of fulmars and various gulls as coastal life slowly returns to a new sense of normality.

Feb. 20th, 2024: Sometimes the sun is hindered as it wakes to bring in a new day, so consequently an intense band of sunshine is sandwiched on the horizon.

Below is an example of wind turbine silhouettes where Beatrice wind farm is framed within a beam of sun.

Feb. 21st, 2024: Standing on top of a section of cliff known as “Horseback”, looking northwards up the coastline.

Feb. 22nd, 2024: Seabird’s eye view of the Bink and the Salt House, in close proximity to the sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Feb. 23rd, 2024: After a couple of days where the winds and grey skies were plentiful, this particular Friday offered up such a contrasting blue canvas above.

Feb. 24th, 2024: Beautiful sunrise.

Feb. 25th, 2024: During a window of time where the North Sea was calmer and the skies found their harmony, it proved too inviting for fishing boats and other nautical traffic.

Feb. 25th, 2024 – Night: Beautiful moon observations over Whaligoe Steps…

Feb. 26th, 2024: A glaring sunrise provided the backdrop for a silhouette moment with a passing seabird. Not sure if it was a fulmar or a type of gull, but it was a beautiful image.

Feb. 27th, 2024: Today offered up more gusty and windy ambience as I tackled this daily trek. With that in mind, the clip below may suit a muted volume as the weather battered the microphone.

The waterfall was blown in the breeze, a windswept water dance.

Feb. 28th, 2024: Catching some strong sunshine on the boat winch during a lull in bleak weather.

Feb. 29th, 2024: More sunshine adding ambience to some restless waves.

March 1st, 2024: I managed to access the pebble shores on this particular trek, captured an image looking out to the North Sea.

March 2nd, 2024: The Bink is really showing signs from the rainfall and general reception to the past few years of visitors. Rustic and wet ambience.

March 3rd, 2024: The tide was drifting out when I noticed the broken anchor. Authentic in drizzle as it lay peacefully amongst the pebbles and rocks.

The next blog entry sharing my daily treks will hopefully cover Monday, March 4th, 2024 up to and including Sunday, March 17th, 2024.

Thank you so much for your support, generosity of time and kindness. Time is flying by and I cannot believe that March is well and truly underway already. Hints of spring are in the air as new growth pokes through the rustic landscape.

Take care of yourselves, sending you positive wishes only always.

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Thank you for dropping by this freezing cold, blog entry. If you’re looking for some winter-themed images then you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’re simply curious about the coastal location where Whaligoe Steps is situated and wish to see photography showcasing snow covering? Then once again, you’re in the right place.

The fortnight documented below from Monday, January 8th up to and including Sunday, January 21st, 2024, was remarkable for the snowfall and prominent wintery weather. I was caught in a blizzard which was both alarming and comical simultaneously. Just wait until you see a selfie I struggled to capture once I returned to the top after a serene and frozen descent.

Anyways, you don’t want to see my icicles, you want to know how my daily trek challenge is going…

Link to my last episode about this daily trek challenge – New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge! – Whaligoe Eye

Other useful links relating to my daily trek challenge: Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge (Part 15) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023 – Whaligoe Eye

Now that you’ve caught up, let’s get to this blog entry and what I had the luxury of documenting.

Jan. 8th, 2024: If you were a seagull or fulmar flying over this part of the coastline, I wonder if you’d see this sort of view?

The Bink with a section of the zig-zagging lower flights of Whaligoe Steps, and the Salt House.

Jan. 9th, 2024: After the recent couple of years where bird flu has ravaged the seabird populations, it’s a joy to confirm that there are building numbers of feathered friends returning to rocky ledges once more.

Jan. 10th, 2024: You know by now that I like a silhouette, and I hope this doesn’t disappoint.

Jan. 11th, 2024: Some gravel litters these steps after being dragged by rainfall and stormy conditions above. This is a photograph of the fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 12th, 2024: This image tickles me due to the posture adopted by the gull in the top left hand corner.

Jan. 13th, 2024: In the early hours I found this image to be atmospheric. Tranquillity in a moment of cold, yet calming ambience.

Jan. 14th, 2024: The trek was evident for really freezing temperatures, and knowing how subtle changes to the landscape had taken place over the past two months, it wasn’t a surprise to find the broken anchor had moved.

Jan. 14th – Afternoon… Later in the day, I ventured down and around Whaligoe Steps for a second visit. A light covering of snow as temperatures held firmly hinting that perhaps more was to come…

Jan. 15th, 2024: Plenty of snow fell and gripped the landscape. The photo below is of the first flight of Whaligoe Steps in the early hours.

Jan. 16th, 2024: Icicles aplenty… The freeze continues.

There is a blog entry sharing images of this day which you can view by clicking on this link – Beautiful January Days of White Satin – Whaligoe Eye

Jan. 17th, 2024: The view along the coastline as it travels northwards from Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 18th, 2024: A personal fave, I ended up using this photograph in conjunction with a daily poem too…

Solace swoons where mingling matters whisper winter words (#Only8Words)

Jan. 19th, 2024: An ominous ascent from the bottom of the first flight heading back to my home.

Jan. 20th, 2024: By the time I ventured out for my daily trek on this Saturday, the snow was melting considerably and I took an opportune moment to craft a ‘snow heart’ on some grass, located on the Bink.

Jan. 21st, 2024: As the thaw continued, some feathered friends took to the sky in celebration.

I hope you enjoyed this blog, and with just over three months left until I finish my daily trek challenge where I go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a whole year, look out for further entries as I continue my adventures.

All going well, the next blog will be documenting the fortnight from Monday, January 22nd up to and including Sunday, February 4th, 2024.

Thank you for your generosity of time and kindness, stay safe and take care.

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EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

Part seventeen of my daily trek challenge, where I go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a whole year. It began back on the first day of May, 2023.

So far, I’ve gone through about seventy-six batteries, two pairs of footwear, a camera, and two computers that packed up on me.

I’ve experienced Storm Babet, Storm Isha and Storm Jocelyn, plus several others, in and amongst enduring ice, snow, rain, sunshine and calm. Still, at the time of composing this blog entry, there are just three months to go before I complete this epic adventure!

This entry covers the fortnight from Monday, Dec. 11th up to and including Sunday, Dec. 24th, 2023…

Dec. 11th, 2023: Below, to kickstart this documentation of my daily trek challenge, is another fine example of the wonderful skies which grace this part of the coastline throughout December.

Dec. 12th, 2023: Throughout November and December, I would encounter Star going about her travels and business. Here she is pondering fascinating things on the top of the sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 13th, 2023: There is a blog entry (House with Many Names – Whaligoe Eye) which delves a little deeper about this building, which still remains with one whole wall standing on the Bink. Over the years it has been given many purposes and names, but it’s most commonly referred to as the Salt House.

Dec. 14th, 2023: Charlie Juhlenski has worked tirelessly on Whaligoe Steps utilising his stonemasonry skills. This is a plaque, a tribute to his Mum, which can be found at the base of the second flight of steps.

Dec. 15th, 2023: The below photograph is a simple example of what’s witnessed as you stand at the top of the final and sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps which leads down to the Bink.

At the time of this blog post, I notice how the steps themselves look identifiable and you can clearly see the stone. In actual reality, the recent storms have dragged a significant quantity of gravel from the top of the cliffs and deposited amounts all over the various flights.

Dec. 16th, 2023: An example of a beautiful and rich sunrise providing a backdrop to Beatrice, the wind farm located just over eight miles off the coastline here.

Dec. 17th, 2023: Sir Billy Connolly CBE, visited Whaligoe Steps in the nineties and met a couple of locals, Jimmy Miller and William Taylor. During his encounter with this coastal dwelling he noted how the waterfall was the first one he’d seen which goes up the way!

Dec. 18th, 2023: Something peaceful when you gaze at the moon. This is the moon as it looked on this particular Monday over Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 19th, 2023: We’ve seen Star in different stages of action or rest. Here she is in huntress mode… Watch out rodents!

Dec. 20th, 2023: Below is an example of the occasional build-up of plastic pollution which litters the pebble shoreline here at Whaligoe Steps. I gather up the garbage and carry it back up with me in case you’re wondering.

Dec. 21st, 2023: This is the third flight of Whaligoe Steps. Notice the hint of rainfall which nestles on the surface of each step.

Dec. 22nd, 2023: I love the colouring in the photograph below. Typical of the rustic flora on show during this time of year around here.

Dec. 23rd, 2023: Another example of the flora which has really died back during these winter days. Plenty of cloud and rainy days.

Dec. 24th, 2023: The remaining boat winch looked a little sad for itself during Christmas Eve. I took pity on it and out came the camera.

There you have it for another blog entry showcasing some views and highlights of life down and around Whaligoe Steps this December.

The next blog entry will be significant for taking you and I out of 2023, and letting us in on the beginning of the next year. So, if you get a moment I’d welcome your company as we celebrate Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year with more photographs taken during my daily trek challenge.

While the local population discuss these amazing observations amongst themselves, I’ll say thank you only always for your generosity of time within social media, in person and also thank you for being You.

Stay safe, take care.

Link to the last blog entry if you’re curious – Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

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If you’re curious about my daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, catch up with this handy ‘recap’ link – Edit Post “Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14)” ‹ Whaligoe Eye — WordPress

I’ve been wrestling a few distractions recently, so haven’t succeeded in publishing a blog about my continual adventures with the area around and down the impressive ‘Steps, but will be catching up with my entries in the coming weeks. This one will kickstart that process by covering November 13th, and finishing with November 26th… A fortnight of strong winds, chilly temperatures and some rustic landscapes.

Nov. 13th, 2023: Typical of this specific trek, a blustery and slightly chilly experience with waves dancing against coastal rocks.

Nov. 14th, 2023: Accumulation of foam was abundant during this Tuesday morning trek…

Nov. 15th, 2023: Despite the turning of weather and the challenge of negotiating rain and gusts, the skies remained triumphant in their many colours and textures, making it a pleasure to witness throughout this fortnight.

Nov. 16th, 2023: Beneath such stimulating skies were appearances from a companion I always welcome. Star the cat, in good form…

Nov. 17th, 2023: During my Friday trek, I was greeted with a beautiful and tangled sunrise as cloud and sunshine wrestled before me.

Nov. 18th, 2023: A common silhouette I photographed throughout this month and December.

Nov. 19th, 2023: I’m a self-confessed ‘student of life’ as I’ve mentioned in other blog entries, but capturing silhouettes against the beautiful skies here at Whaligoe Steps has been fun and interesting.

An example of visitors to this area, even in late November.

Nov. 20th, 2023: Dwelling beside puddles in the below photograph is the one remaining boat winch, overshadowed by the formidable cliffs which reach up to the skies at around two hundred and fifty feet high.

Nov. 21st, 2023: Looking down from the third flight of Whaligoe Steps, I noticed how turquoise the North Sea became during this cold November day.

Nov. 22nd, 2023: Did I make mention of the third flight of Whaligoe Steps?…

Nov. 23rd, 2023: It seems somewhat foolish to forget Whaligoe Steps also dwells at night time. The day has plenty to offer, but below is a photograph of the moon over this area on a Thursday evening.

Nov. 24th, 2023: Below is an example of a gushing, windswept waterfall here at the ‘Steps.

Nov. 25th, 2023: Now then, don’t leave any carrots about or something may pinch ’em. The rabbit population is present at the top of Whaligoe Steps and around the top of the cliffs here.

Nov. 26th, 2023: Another sky-related photo as looking up offers a chance for daydreaming.

Hope you enjoyed looking at this captured moments during the fortnight which was from Monday, Nov. 13th up to and including Sunday, Nov. 26th, 2023…

My next blog entry will continue the momentum of sharing captured moments from Monday, Nov. 27th, 2023 up to and including Sunday, December 10th, 2023…

Thank you for sticking with me during my daily trek challenge, for just being You really. The support and kindness shown via social media has been appreciated, and those occasions I get to meet folk who visit Whaligoe Steps and share their anecdotes. Sending you positive wishes only always.

Take care, stay safe.

Here’s a fun one of Star during my trek on November 25th…

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Since the beginning of the 90s, I can recall experiencing the sharp glare emanating from the gradual assent of the sun from Whaligoe Steps. It is a wonderful sight and reminder of the serene beauty of nature itself. Lost in my thoughts at various times of the early morning whilst poised on the Bink (grassy platform which greets you once you have descended the Steps), I have surveyed the grand expanse of the north sea right to the horizon, only to be dazzled quite literally by the harsh intensity of the sun.

I thought to myself how bright and beautiful it would be to collate some images of the various sunrises in recent months and slot them in here, as a blog entry. So if you have a spare moment, sit with me, put on your sunglasses and witness some moments I have captured of some sunrises. Not only the start of a new day, but in this instance the beginning of a new blog post.

The clip above was one of my first ever attempts utilising a “hyperlapse” feature I was shown by some friendly visitors to Whaligoe Steps. By accident I observed a grey seal head bobbing on the surface of the sea during the filming of this unfolding moment and if you look carefully, you’ll notice it go from the left side to the right.

“Metal Orchids Bathed in Gold”

Flowering energy, rotation so bold

powering synergy to a canvas of gold

Beatrice standing tall on horizon so still

caught in sunrise that defies my will

Metallic orchids rise up tall in silhouette

reminding of their grace and industrial concept

Bathing in changing waters so deep

ascending the sky like steps so steep

Reflected liquid mirror shines too

not overshadowed by the view

From Whaligoe Steps I can clearly see

your beauty unfold before me

Some more photographs that have been taken of various sunrises since August to now…

Many thanks for your time, take care and stay safe.

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My imagination is running rife since setting up a Twitter account and finding many likeminded creative souls. At the time of assembling my thoughts with this blog post, my @floodland08 account has around 340 followers of varying backgrounds. Each and every one is an individual with an identity unique to them, and each individual has their own level of sensitivity, life experience and perspective on what unfolds around them.

Thank you so much for taking the time to follow a guy who likes to daydream, likes to think, likes to express and likes to share what he likes. You have made an individual living on a remote part of the northern Scottish coastline very happy by spending a second to click ‘Follow’.

My creativity has identified something this very morning and through a lens of art-driven narrative, describes the sight as “Metal Orchids Bathed in Gold”

Energy is a ‘hot’ topic right now for so many reasons. The engineering behind such a challenge is also worthy of respect and recognition. Welcome to the north sea and a distant wind farm situated within view from the Whaligoe Steps.

This offshore wind farm is located approximately thirteen kilometres from the Caithness coastline, and goes by the name of Beatrice. In June, 2019, after seven years of development and three years of actual construction, Beatrice is operated and maintained from its base at Wick Harbour. ​Consisting of eighty-four wind turbines, this offshore entity is capable of providing enough wind powered electricity for up to four hundred and fifty thousand homes!

These wind turbines are mighty in size and power. They stand proud on the horizon when you look out from the bink at the base of the Whaligoe Steps looking out across the north sea. They may be bothersome to some, but they are also fully functional and providing invaluable energy to the grid which supplies many homes with electricity.

It is a feat which is currently recognised as the second largest wind farm in Scotland.

The sunrise which beckoned me down the Whaligoe Steps on this morning provided me with a new perspective on these amazing metallic structures, and once again I sincerely thank the Steps for inviting such breath taking views. A fine example of nature and technology merging to create a vision of synergy.

Welcome to the Beatrice offshore wind farm. Welcome to “Metal Orchids Bathed in Gold”