Jackie has a row of shells lined up on a low stone wall. This morning as she stepped into the garden to photograph
a pot of pansies underneath which are planted tulips she noticed that these shells have been tossed all over the place. This set her thinking that either the wind had wreaked havoc or that Eric the Pheasant who last year specialised in this wanton distribution had returned.
Sure enough, Eric was back.
Today’s weather was much brighter, albeit somewhat cooler. We drove to The Beach Hut Café at Friars Cliff for a hearty brunch.
After our meal we each produced a set of photographs. As a gentleman I always allow the lady to go first, so there follows Jackie’s contribution:
She first pictured the bay, creating a panoramic view with the Isle of Wight in the distance.
Beach scenes with huts came next.
Unbeknown to me she lurked around the corner of the promenade and caught me snapping.
I was intrigued by the waves and spray breaking on the rocks and sliding along sand and shingle.
A lone fisherman, the sun glinting on his spectacles, kept a vigil throughout and after our meal. I am not aware that he caught anything,
which is more than can be said for a small surfing gull family.
Dogs are not permitted on the beach between May and October, but, at this time of the year their owners make hay. Some time after I took this set three loose alsatian-type dogs raced around the beach huts. They belonged to the gentleman in the red jacket – not me. At the end of a row of huts ascends a steepish slope still necessitating me holding the rail as I begin the climb back up to the car park. I was not best pleased when one of these creatures bounded round the bend and narrowly missed colliding with me. Unfortunately the owner was out of sight and I hadn’t the energy to seek him out.
Before I began that ascent I witnessed the progression of a stone-throwing apprenticeship. A little boy with a man I assumed to be his grandfather picked up quite a large missile which he
handed over to his companion who,
watched by the lad, chucked it into the waves.
The junior then gathered up smaller stones and, with unerring accuracy tossed them directly ahead into the spray.
He was well into his task as I departed.
This evening we dined on pepperoni pizza with plentiful fresh salad.
Despite the wind and drop in temperatures, you and Jackie make the most of a day out and the shore!!
Thanks very much, GP.
I don’t remember Eric the Pheasant, but I love that you have another bird you recognize.
Splendid shots by both you and Jackie. I like the shot of you walking unaware, and I like all of your surf shots–especially the birds in the surf.
Thanks very much, Merril. Eric was some years ago. This one is in fact Lucky from last February: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
I can’t recall when Eric made his last appearance here – I wonder, is this an annual visit or a random dropping by to check out the shells are where they ought to be………. I love those brightly painted huts and Jackie’s photo of them and the curve of the bay is maybe my favourite of hers, though also that super brightly coloured regimentally lined up straight row of huts is also eye catching. I too like to watch the movement of water and spray so enjoyed those photos today also. Big dogs on the run are always a hazard I feel. I’m glad you evaded a full on collision!
The huts had been newly painted for the coming summer, I could not resist. Eric just has to rearrange the shells to his liking when he comes a calling!
In fact, Eric was a visitor some years before. This one is Lucky, named by Poppy last February: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
Since the shooting season ends on 1st February the name seemed appropriate. The blog is an excellent aide memoire 🙂
Thank you very much, Pauline. Eric was an error, as I have explained in my other comment. Fortunately I was holding the rail at the time and could swing my legs a bit.
I’ve noticed that Jackie’s photos are calm and tranquil, while yours capture the waves and spray, Derrick. It provides an interesting contrast.
Yes, indeed, Dolly. Thank you very. much.
My pleasure, Derrick.
I am totally jealous of your ability to get out and walk a beach with no snow. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Dymoon
I so miss the seaside. These photos really capture what I’m missing.
Thank you very much, Gary. I can well understand this, considering the muddy morass you now inhabit.
Brilliant photos – I miss the coastline so much 🙂
Thank you very much, Tiny. I have tried several times to follow you, but my email address keeps being rejected.
I’ve had the same glitch Derrick, and follows and likes only work for me via the app now. It seems to be the same for a lot of us.
If WordPress continues to be a pest – I post every other day at 6pm gmt 🙂
Thanks, Tiny. This may be why my viewing figures have dropped although my comments remain consistent.
I liked The January Garden but WP wouldn’t let me.
Thank you for trying Derrick, glad you enjoyed it 🙂 (Likes/follows still not working for me either today outside of the app)
There’s nothing like a grandfather to teach a boy hos to throw stones. It is noticeable that Jackie seemed to take a more cheerful view of the day than you did.
As a man with a tin knee, I share your distaste for uncontrolled bounding dogs.
Thanks very much especially for the solidarity, Tootlepedal.
It is very annoying that you can’t edit replies once you have sent them. Otherwise I might have changed hos to how.
Indeed
Having been a dog owner all my life Derrick, I firmly believe when out with you dog in public public spaces, the dog should be on a leash at all times, if they are not on a leash their owner is being irresponsible, and selfishly a show-off, to think his free wild animal is under his(ego) control, as If his animal would never harm anyone, or someone else’s pet….. The dog’s owner needs to be trained in natures ways of the animal world, although their oversized ego may reject how to be kind and courteous to other people around him, because obviously the dog’s owner is already a fully grown half-witted human !!
Thank you very much, Ivor. Had I been fitter I’d have found the owner and quietly mentioned some of this.
I don’t know why, but some dog owners, thank their animal is perfect!! ….???
🙂
Lovely, natural, shots – both of you. I can smell the sea air and hear the shingle sucking back. Happy memories!
Thank you very much, Mike. I’m pleased you heard the shingle. Matthew Arnold’s Dover Beach was my inspiration for this one: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/11/20/dover-beach/
Oh my…I can see why you were intrigued by the waves. Your shots are amazing, Derrick. I don’t remember Eric. Wow! I can’t imagine seeing that in the wild. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Jill. You and others sent me back to the blog to check our memories. This pheasant is Lucky https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
Eric was a few years before.
Thank you for sharing this lovely and refreshing day at the beach! The rocks give a sense of stability, and the dogs, boy, and grandfather made me smile. I love that you name your wild feathered friends.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. The blog is an excellent aide memoire – this friend was not Eric, but Lucky: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
A beautiful and lucky bird!
Fantastic shots of the boy throwing stones into the sea.
Thanks very much, Oglach. I was especially pleased with that sequence.
I enjoyed the beautiful photos from you and Jackie, Derrick! Eric the Pheasant is a handsome fellow, too!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Actually this pheasant is Lucky, from last February: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/ Eric was a few years earlier.
I remember that post. Your pheasants are a little more ornate than the ones here we get wandering through on occasion.
Your seascapes remind me of John Masefield:
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
How wonderful to have a pheasant visit your garden!
Thank you very much, Anne. An excellent poem.
Wonderful set.
Thanks very much, Rupali.
Eric is so handsome! Wonder why he likes to rearrange shells?! Maybe he’s into shell Feng Shui and is just being a pleasant pheasant. 😀 HA! 😛
Love all the photos you posted here! Those colorful beach huts are especially delightful! 🙂 And the sea birds and waves are always a joy!
Here dogs always have to be on leases in public. I think that’s best for everyone, even the dogs. Glad you were not knocked over or hurt!
More wonderful photos by Jackie of The Great Photographer at work! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much Carolyn for your excellent exuberant comments. This pheasant is not Eric, but Lucky from last February: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
Well, Eric and Lucky are lucky they are not under glass! 😉 😀 HA!
🙂
The fisherman on the beach always intrigue me. I think that I can honestly say that I have never seen any of them catch a single fish.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew.
Have you heard anything from John from Melbourne?
He is to phone when in Jersey. Perhaps still in Ethiopia?
Love the beach photos, especially Jackie’s colourful beach huts. It seems such a long time ago since we used to hire a hut, very useful when we had small babies.
Lovely to see the pheasants back, we’ve also had a few make an appearance in the field outside the kitchen, but as yet none in the garden. I reckon they’ll hang around until Spring and then disappear again until next winter.
Thanks very much, Sue. I reckon you are right about the pheasants.
I don’t think there is any human being with more concern for the welfare of his fellow human beings than the dog owner.
And I love the way their dogs have taught them how to hang bags of what I have always presumed to be dog excrement on the lower branches of trees and brushes and on fence posts. So cute!
Lovely photos, thanks Dereck!
Thank you very much, Sue
Those are top notch shots from both of you. I am of the opinion you will have to promote Jackie to a Partner from apprenticeship at an early date. The huts make a stunning subject, however, every photo owns its beauty as much to the person behind the lens as it does to the subject. You have produced many marvels at the telephoto end.
Thank you very much Uma. At the moment Jackie is happy to retain her more humble position.
Eric, the huts, and the waves made a lasting impression. You and Jackie have wonderful photography skills! And your scenes are so different from what we are experiencing here in southern CA today! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks very much, Jan. Actually Eric was an error. He appeared a year or to back. This one is Lucky who first visited in February 2019: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/
Ah yes, I remember that post. A beautiful pheasant indeed! You forgot on that post to tell us what wine you had with dinner!
Eric is back! Looking for insects? I don’t know why it is so appealing to throw rocks in the water, but it is.
The sea is such a photogenic creature – wonderful waves. But I do love those beach hut scenes too. Ha! small boys, stones and water … we have spent a few afternoons that way.
Haven’t we all, Peggy? 🙂 Thanks very much.
Eric the Pheasant?! He certainly is a dapper fellow. Perhaps he thinks that his good looks will excuse any bad behavior? Of this group of photos, I have to pick Jackie’s first one of the beach for its gradations of color. Very pleasing.
Thank you very much, Liz. Jackie is pleased. Actually, Eric was an error. He visited a few years ago. This was Lucky who was named last February: https://derrickjknight.com/2019/02/25/pigeon-posts/