It’s been nearly eight months but I can still feel the heat of the Costa Rican sun. Still feel the gentle swell rolling the small, wooden blue boat. Still see that brilliant blue sky scudded with white clouds meeting the horizon and merging into the deeper blue of an ocean that changes to green closer … More Ocean’s Heaven
Beaked whales. Those elusive, little known toothed whales. Odd looking, with strangely shaped mouth lines, few or no teeth, and even then its only males where the teeth erupt through the lower jaw protruding like tusks. Pelagic species, found in the open ocean over deep water habitat. These are some if the deepest diving species, … More Beaky Blinders
I was standing on the very familiar deck 10 if Brittany Ferries Pont Aven as she steamed out of Plymouth heading into the English Channel. A breeze tugs at my hair and jacket like an incessant toddler wanting my attention. The sky is clear and blue, the sun casting a molten gold that shimmers across … More Where I Belong
Clouds billow, like marshmallows, on a distant horizon. They look ominous as they kiss the sea, hinting at the rain to come. Above there is nothing but blue sky. A stiff breeze tugs at loose clothing and whips the top of the deep blue waves into white horses. Despite this the swell is low and … More An opportunity to reconnect
In 2005, fresh out of University, I went to the Isle of Mull to work with Sea Life Surveys. One of the UK’s first whale watching companies, Sea Life Surveys had been set up by Richard Fairbairns in 1982. At the same time, with advice from whale biologists, he set up the Mull Cetacean Project. … More A tribute to Popz
I have taken a leap of faith. While sat at my desk a couple of weeks ago I happened across a Facebook post advertising Terra Icognita’s Wildlife Blogger of the Year 2018. Sponsored by Swarovski Optik the competition calls on bloggers from around the world to put their favourite wildlife moment into the spotlight. It’s … More Wildlife Blogger of the Year 2018
It felt like history repeating, and I had an ominous feeling of de ja vu. It is mid-September and the first storms of the autumn are sweeping across the Atlantic heading for the UK and Ireland, and once again I am heading out on the ferry to Santander across the Bay of Biscay with the … More Changeable Bay
Storm Alieen was barreling into the UK and the Bay of Biscay between Spain and France was feeling it’s effects. Waking after a delayed start from Portsmouth and a rather bumpy night through the English Channel the group of intrepid whale watchers from the marine charity ORCA were out on deck at first light, albeit rather murky and damp, … More Stormy Bay
The train rattles, clickety clack clickety clack, as it rushes towards the Capital. The scenery outside rushing by, transforms from extensive fields, meandering rivers and woodlands to neat rows of houses and industrial estates with corrugated roofs. Still I pick out geese wandering over fields, ducks wending their way along the rivers, a rush of … More Incredible Oceans 2017
Standing on crunchy white snow, looking up at the brilliant blue expanse of a vast sky stretching overhead uninterrupted in all directions. I close my eyes and just listen. There is no sound, the silence is deafening and perfect. Nothing can be seen for miles all around, just blinding white snow and ice. Beyond the … More An Antarctic Dream
Wild Barley 