Monday, July 14, 2008

The sea has many moods...

Great to see the Guillimots are still here in massive numbers, row upon row creating a chaotic row as we paddle around Sugarloaf Rock, and lining the cliffs above the atmospheric caves below. Soon to leave for their winter quarters in colder climates, their prominant chatter and pungent smell will once again be replaced by the peace and tranquillity along that stretch of coastline, with occasional glimses of Dolphins and Porpoise. High above, the Western sections of the Chasms are open again for climbing, with the Eastern sections including the Sugarloaf Stack accessible from end July. Timed to coincide with the departure of the Guillimots and Razorbills, as well as the end of the nesting season for the Chough's. Often a sun trap, this location offers phenomenol views and the nearby stone circle.
In contrast to this, we also offer other experiences, for those who require increased challenge...
Shane's stag party was an adrenaline fueled affair, for which we selected Peel to give optimum conditions that morning!

A similar experience was had on the 'intermediate' paddle on Sunday evening from Port St Mary, where the sea had picked up rapidly to produce some occasional interesting conditions... A sizable Basking Shark passed by in front of us, swimming with the tide as we crossed the Sound. As always, good to see!
Laxey this evening gave its traditional display of colours, light conditions, seals, herons, black guillimots, the high pitched screaming from the Peregrine Falcon and as we crossed the millpond water at Garwick, a small Basking Shark (no more than 10 or 12 feet long) surfaced in front of us, feeding in the shallows, right up to the rocks... It refused to line up nicely with the cloud reflections on the water, to give a perfect shot and then after another surface sighting sank below and we had to contend with basking seals, oyster catchers and young cormorants peering down from their nests on the rocky ledges above.

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