Tour de Flamborough

Something a bit different for me but was great fun if very quick!!!!!

A member of the National Escort Group acting as the advance guard....

First hint ...  the VIPs come through (shame they get to miss the actual race)

nearly here.... 

and the first racers sweep past

 

The pelaton arrives....

and last but certainly not least Sir Bradley..........

and then the entourage.....

'our' Bradleys car.... 

think this one is missing something

and then they were gone......

Gannet day..........

Managed a quick walk to the cliff tops mid-afternoon (after a stint in the car park - it was BUSY!!) - and was lucky enough to find some gannets............  Yes, I know the first one is a Bridled Guillemot....

Puffins and Packham

Trotted (not literally you know me better than that) up to Bempton this morning as someone said the Puffins were back......  Low tide, sunny day, guess what - all back out at sea - did manage to find two but not photographable....  It was great seeing the new centre (almost finished) and even better to see gannets pulling grass, guillemots and razorbills claiming spaces - and spring has really sprung when they are filming Springwatch at Bempton....  so for that Packham moment scroll to the end...

Bridled Guillemot

hide and seek

and this Gannet was going to get that bit of grass come what may...

First time I have seen this - Gannet with stone - does it think it is an Adelie penguin??

and now for that Packham moment....

Study of a Goldcrest

A late afternoon walk around the Head gave me the first go at flight shots as the Seabirds return, and an enjoyable half hour or so 'stalking' a Goldcrest as it foraged up Old Fall Hedge....

Bringing in the boat

Thought it would make a change to post some pics that did not include birds!!  A visit to a (windy) South Landing coincided with the return of the Flamborough inshore boat.  Not in a hurry (which was just as well given the sea conditions) I assume they had been having a practice run, whatever, it was fascinating watching the manoeuvring of the boat onto the trailer, and then pulled back up the beach....  As one onlooker said - well you try reversing into that parking space.......  indeed!!  I just hoped the tractor cabin is waterproof!!

Gulls???

No - Waxwing!!  Had a great day out with Yorkshire Coast Nature learning all about IDing Gulls - with a slight diversion to 'twitch' a nearby Waxwing - first one I've seen for over 12 months - then it was back to the gulls.......