Come late February Storms have formed out in the Atlantic Ocean.. Strong offshore winds from the East maybe cold.. for some.
The going gets tough . Let the battle commence
Storm Surfers thrive in elements of minus temperatures ,strong winds and big sets.
Conditions that would be unthinkable to many surfers around the world from the warm climates, yet tomorrow they`ll go again
Here in Ireland it plays a big part within the surfing culture...Oh to ride the Storms.
On my way home from town , My wife and I passed by Ballyalia and Drumcliffe just to see a few ducks etc and you never know there is a chance of a WTE.
Sure enough a WTE was perched on a post Drumcliffe end over looking the flock of Wigeon, it made a short flight over to a field wall were it searched the ground for Carrion.
Above all my Mrs got some good views and was well happy to see an Eagle.
Turns out that this is a young bird that was released at Lough Derg in 2020
2020 was a poor year for swell.
But starting through January Low pressures were shaping the Atlantic storms
One of the best west swells in over a decade married with offshore winds charged into our coast at 5m and 16 secs. Minus air temperatures and a full depth of winter does not worn of hardy surfers,,,, they were waiting!
The Lahinch reefs were amazing and due to Lockdown waves were shared between local surfers who were just buzzing for the month
Since discovering that we had a Pine Marten visiting our garden this winter I was overjoyed..
A lockdown project for myself, similar to the Owls back in spring.
I have been putting out some chopped Apples, Rasberry Jam & Peanut butter (It does like Cinnamon Bagels) and setting up the Trail Camera at different locations hoping for a good angle.
You can only try to film Rare Wild Animals at night.
But if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need!
I was slowly driving a road looking across trenched fields for the 7 Pink footed Geese as this Peregrine Falcon came into my view 100 yards off, perched up on a post eating what I think to be a Redwing.
For a short time it was hassled by a pair of Chough and a Stonechat as the Geese showed in the back ground.
I kept the photos to long range and from the car as not to disturb breakfast on this cold morning
A cold crispy morning with not a cloud in the sky and ground frost.
I did a quick round up of wildfowl at the Corofin Loughs. A 50 strong flock of Whooper Swan were out grazing a usual field in the morning sun just off the road near Lough Cullaun.
200 Wigeon,100 Teal and 70 Black tailed Godwit was the best at Lough Atedaun. A few Goldeneye and a pair of Tufted Duc kwere on Lough Muckanagh along with a Buzzard and lots of Redwing and Fieldfares.
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Big Storms bring big waves! Doolin is a of dramatic piece of coastline with serious ocean scenery
The annual Carpark covering storm at Doolin Harbour.
It seems every winter (for how many winters now i dont know maybe 6) you call into Bishops Quarter beach to check in on the Albino Curlew that frequents the rocky cove.
As I pulled in to the carpark it flew off round the corner out of sight , I took the short walk over but It didnt stay long and flew up into the field above the reef.
Once a Curlew is on to you, you aint getting any shots
This year looking a bit untidy with a few black spots showing.
I pulled into the car park at Bell Harbour nice and slowly as not to disturb any wildfowl that maybe in the mud creeks.
A Little Egret was having a slice of luck in the channels knabbing 2 Flounders on the bounce , it was on a hot streak and didnt care to much for me watching it fishing.
Five pair of Shoveler Duck were at Burrin Pond , a perfect little lake for them that they visit every winter and a place where you can get close enough for a photo.
Lough Inchiquin is one of my nearest Loughs to home and beautiful lake with a high hill with woodland to the west with great scenic and birdwatching views. a carpark and reedbeds to the south. The north end where river Fergus enters and east end are quite inexcessable due to private lands.
The Lake holds good numbers of Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebes and Coot.
Over the years Ive seen birds here like Smew, Goosander, Long tailed Duck, Ring necked Duck, Goldeneye, Spotted Flycatcher, Jay and Kingfisher. Otter are regular here.
