Sitting seagulls

I recently picked up a newspaper supplement about achieving your goals in 2014 with a focus on learning new skills and pursuing new experiences.  One of the articles was about street photography and how pleasurable it can be to just take your camera out for the day and capture the little details you love about your hometown.  Another was about building active-ness into your daily routine and encouraged the idea of walking and talking – one of the suggestions was that instead of meeting friends for tea and cake or dinner when you have a catchup, go for a stroll and get some fresh air instead.  It made me feel more determined to get out and about more with my camera and to go for more walks to take in the beautiful scenery near where we live.  On top of this I’ve also been using my FitBit Flex to track my daily activity – it’s a really fun gadget that shows your activeness and steps via a light display and then buzzes when you’ve reached your daily target.  In an effort to try not to be so sedentary I’ve been trying to go for more lunchtime walks from work and on Monday I took my camera along for the trip (and a Tom for a walk and talk!)

Highcliffe Beach
Highcliffe Beach
Highcliffe beach
Beach huts at Highcliffe
Tide and a seagull

It was very calming to have that break from work, take in the fresh air and enjoy the sounds and the sights of the seashore.  I’ve been enjoying taking photos of birds lately, seagulls pit patting along the tideline or sat on groynes or fences.  They make me smile how they often sit together in groups, watching the tide roll by and (maybe) sharing the news of the day.

After a more relaxed afternoon at work (although with slightly messier hair than I usually have on a work afternoon due to the onshore wind!) we then headed home in the van but had to stop again to capture the beautiful sunset.  I was so glad I had my camera. We nipped into Mudeford Quay where a sailing boat provided the perfect scenery for photographs – gently lapping waves tinged with pinks and magentas, the slowly setting sun disappearing behind puffs of pastel coloured cloud.  Swans and coots paddling around the banks and reeds and grasses gently swaying in the wind.

Sunset
Sunset
Sunset

A walk slightly further around the quay found another seagull meeting…

Seagulls
Seagulls

… But I wasn’t invited to the party.

I love getting home from a walk with my camera and looking through the photos on my computer.  It gives me the same excitement as waiting for a film back from the photo lab – seeing if you’ve captured some hidden gem, a dapple of beautiful sunlight, a set of geese flying in perfect formation.  Photography is such a passion of mine and a little dash of escapism, I must make an effort to get out and about with my camera more.  Let me know if you go on any walks around your hometown with a camera, I’d love to see your posts!

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