9th November from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
Because the majority of trees and plants are evergreens, the impact of autumn is never so immediate and dramatic on the West Cliff Green as elsewhere. There is always a backdrop of rhodendrons, gorse and strawberry trees against which the many varities of pines and holm oaks flourish. The grass is bright emerald and lush. The signs of autumn are in the weather, the gales, the cold rain and the sun low down on the horizon. Not forgetting the changing wardrobes and gait of the walkers on the cliff top paths, a slightly faster pace, less time spent leaning on the rail and gazing over the bay. The photos and selfies are snapped that little bit quicker. And today the sun is warm and the air fresh and gentle. The waves are less boisterous. But then the yellow of the native oak is yellow and brown in stark contrast to the evergreen background and the sycamore is suddenly bare against the blue sky; the gorse is in flower and autumn is everywhere.
From 9th November 2021
Little lights prickle the hills above Studland. The sky is murky dark except for a smudge of light above the hills which must be the lights of Swanage reflected off the clouds. The sea pulls back into the darkness and pauses and rushes forward to crumple on the sand. #Bournemouth #WestCliff #autumn #November
From 9th November 2019
After a few days of calm and a bright morning with a sharp frost coating the puddles with glass, the storm has returned. The waves are big green lumps topped with a brilliant white crest of ragged foam. Away on the western horizon, however, a brilliant band of golden sky peeps out from under the thick grey clouds. Tossed around by the blustering wind a merlin is being harried and bullied by a pair of crows. Despite the huge difference in size, the tiny hawk is giving a good account of herself, racing and tumbling around the bigger birds. She arrows down across the beaks of the crows causing them to shear off until they close in again. This aerial ballet continues for some minutes as it is carried along in front of the tempest.
From 9th November 2015
Out early looking for signs of badgers but the ever efficient council workmen were there before me clearing the paths of the weekend gale debris. A sparrowhawk weaving low among the bushes with a small entourage of crows and pigeons. It moves so quickly that as it passes it seems like a tiny jet. Toast for breakfast.
From 9th November 2010
A lumpy grey-brown sea thumping against the promenade which is covered by shingle and thick brown swathes of weed. Even the seagullls are carried beyond the rooftops on the gale. The only creatures enjoying this (apart from the occasional photographer) are the pigeons picking delicately through the wrack and oblivious to the spray sweeping over them.
