I love going for a walk, especially if exploring new places. This summer, we had a chance to visit Annagh Head near French Port (Portnafrankagh) on the Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo. There were stunning views of the Atlantic.
And wild rocky coastlines.
The area has many amazing ancient Gneiss metamorphic rock formations.
Out at sea a blue fishing boat.
And then to top it all off – a whole pop of beautiful dolphins.
And so summer 2021 comes to an end, with September tomorrow. This was one of our last beach days this year – a glorious day in sunshine with the north west County Mayo coast at its very best.
No shortage of back country roads here in County Mayo, Ireland. Here is one from a recent cycle in North Mayo, when the higher hills disappeared into the mist.
Nice old gates…….
And some pretty orchids on route.
These photographs were taken last autumn on the Mullet Peninsula here in County Mayo as the wild Atlantic was churned up by strong winds.
Inspiration comes from so many places. For me though nature is my muse. It can be wild flora or fauna or just wild places. A couple of weekends ago we had to opportunity to visit the coast on a very windy day. While it wasn’t cold the strong wind meant warm hats were required and raincoats, to keep the worst of the chill out. The waves were awe inspiring. The power of them electrifying. I could have stood there and watched them all day.
The gulls appear almost to be playing in the wind – enjoying it’s strength and force as much as we were.
These small sanderling (photo below) were just looking for their dinner though, and seemed oblivious to the waves thundering around them.
And the greatest surprise of all was this frog. A stream, swelled with recent rainwater and therefore gushing down the strand had obviously swept this poor hapless amphibian onto the shore. Needless to say we rescued it – for it would surely have become dinner for a hungry gull or at least been washed into the sea by the next big wave. And we returned it hopefully to the safety of the dunes further up shore.
An awe-inspiring day. And humbling to see the power of nature.
