It’s remarkable how time can seem to be passing slowly, but all of a sudden you realise that it’s been going much quicker. My challenge to go down and around the Whaligoe Steps each and every day from May the 1st, 2023, through to May the 1st, 2024 is still going strong.
This blog entry celebrates a third of my overall challenge (a full three hundred and sixty five days of taking photos down and around Whaligoe Steps) successfully achieved, as four months of consecutive exploring and documenting are now under my proverbial belt.
Within this blog entry, I share with you some highlights from the days covering August 21st, 2023 to the 3rd of September, 2023…
August 21st, 2023: Around this time of year, getting up early and tackling the descent down Whaligoe Steps can provide beautiful sunrise experiences. There are plenty of those which I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph and will be sharing with you. On this Monday, I came across Star roaming around in search of rodents and rabbits.
August 22nd, 2023: Wildflowers are getting a little scarce compared to earlier months around here, but I couldn’t help but capture a flurry of colour near the top of the Whaligoe Steps. In the other photograph below, the zig-zagging Whaligoe Steps eventually settle down on the Bink (grassy platform) where the old salt house still has a presence.
August 23rd, 2023: Wednesday morning had a complimentary sunrise glow. Wild rabbits hopped about and shadows lurked on the third flight of Whaligoe Steps.
August 24th, 2023: Mild and drizzly morning trek revealed the great black-backed gull and hints of wildflower presence amongst the grey.
August 25th, 2023: Liquid diamonds glint in and amongst the grass verges and foliage, whilst the curve from the second flight into the third of Whaligoe Steps shows off great stonemasonry from Charlie Juhlenski.
August 26th, 2023: Due to steady drizzle over the preceding days, the local waterfall here at Whaligoe Steps was generous indeed…
August 27th, 2023: I noticed a few boats out on the North Sea in late August, here’s an example as I witnessed a sailing boat majestically glide through the tides. On land, some rosebay willowherb dances in the breeze to a backdrop of yellow wildflowers.
August 28th, 2023: Rugged landscape captured by my camera during this Monday morning trek…
August 29th, 2023: An obligatory wild bunny skips as the cloud wraps a potential sunrise in a duvet cloud.
August 30th, 2023: Stunning sunrise was witnessed on this particular day. Had to include a photograph taken on the pebble shoreline of the broken anchor too. One of several signatures of a trade which used this wee bit of coastline as a port in previous times.
August 31st, 2023: Silhouettes softly swayed to the coastal winds as a sunrise lit up the surface of the North Sea in a glittering gold backdrop.
This photograph of the moon was taken in the morning of this day and was cause for excitement as there were two full moons in August, 2023. The first one arrived on August the 1st.
September 1st, 2023: Despite the savage wave of Avian flu which struck the seagull population badly at Whaligoe Steps, it’s been a treat to see seabirds still going about their daily business.
Another first for Whaligoe Eye, a sighting of a stoat along the jagged rock coastline was a real bonus. It moved very close to me as it explored amongst the scenery, but I was able to snap a photograph before it darted out of sight shortly afterwards.
September 2nd, 2023: From Whaligoe Steps, you can get a positive view of the North Sea. Occasionally, that means just over eight miles from the mainland you can see Beatrice off-shore wind farm. During my Saturday afternoon trek I witnessed more boat-themed activity as you can see below.
Looking south from the Whaligoe Steps area, curves and contours of the rugged coastline share an ambience.
September 3rd, 2023: Noticed a sensational sky around Whaligoe Steps during this specific Sunday afternoon trek. I was hoping to catch a sight of another stoat, but the skies can offer such beauty at times that I returned home still appreciating what nature offers.
So, another fortnight captured for posterity in my challenge to witness what Whaligoe Steps has to offer each and every day over three hundred and sixty five days. Beginning from May 1st, 2023 and hoping to reach May 1st, 2024, I hope to share another blog entry once my next fortnight is up.
As always, thank you for your kindness and generosity of time. Sharing these images and observations with you has been a revelation.
Take care, be safe and know I’m sending you positive wishes.
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