Ecobird's photos

A bench shelter on the seafront at Burnham on Sea, Somerset, UK. The setting sun catches the shelter and buildings making them glow. and the blossom across the floor adds to the romantic feel. I have added a dreamy song called 'Catch the Light' by Haroula Rose www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GwgF42iU4g I would appreciate it if you could view this on full screen Many thanks

Evening sunset sheds a warm light on the The Reeds Arms on Burnham sea front. Part of the JD Wetherspoons group, the pub offers you a welcome as warm as the setting sun on the facade.

"Beinn Dorain" in the Bridge of Orchy range, captured from the Loch Tulla Viewpoint. Standing 1076m high, (3530.ft) it is high enough to qualify as a Munro. The river is the River Orchy. It was a beautiful day and I loved the fluffy clouds and the play of light across the scene. Best viewed large I think. Many thanks

The Gatehouse, walls and moat at the Bishops's Palace in Wells, Somerset. The Bishop's Palace has been the residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells since the early 13th Century. Construction of the Palace commenced in 1210 but the gatehouse, walls and moat were added in the 14th Century. The drawbridge dating from 1341. has a working drawbridge. It has been a tradition that the resident swans ring a bell at the gatehouse to be fed! The Bishop's Palace has been used as a film location for scenes from Hot Fuzz, The Huntsman and the White Princess amongst other films and programmes and became the french prison in Poldark. It was a lovely day and quite peaceful here. I liked the shadows across the walls.

Dunster Castle in Somerset captured from the main A39 road on a cold March day. The castle was built on the side of a 200 ft steep hill called the Tor overlooking Dunster village. The original castle was a timber motte and bailey building built after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by William de Mohun. At the time the base of the Tor would have been surrounded by sea, offering a natural defence. In the 13th Century the castle was partially rebuilt in stone and in 1330 the castle passed into the hands of John de Mohun who was soon severely in debt, leaving his wife Joan to take over the running of the estate. She agreed upon John's death to sell the castle to Elizabeth Lutterell when she herself died However Joan outlived Elizabeth and Sir Hugh Lutterell took over the castle in 1404. The castle was extended and renovated over the years and the family lived in the property until the late 20th Century. In 1976 Colonel Walter Lutterell gave the castle and much of its contents to the National Trust. Dunster Castle is a Grade 1 listed building Here is a song by Don McLean 'Castles in the Air' www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI9NjQK_xm8 Details from wikipedia. Please view large for the detail

Pictured at Birnbeck, Weston Super Mare both the wall and 'window' have suffered the ravages of time. The 'logo' on the top of the window is that of the Secret Society of Super Villain Artists. Little is known about the society but it appears to have been started by a street artist using the name Silent Bill inadvertently when he put the logo online some years ago, along with an application form and was inundated with responses. It is said that it a society looks on itself as a family. It holds events and the artists support each other. They also give back to society by supporting charities such as animal welfare, foodbanks and the homeless and raises awareness of injustice in society, often donating their work for the good of those who could not afford to buy it. Beside the face on the bottom panel you can see the words 'I Love Her'. Well someone loved her enough to bring her a hot drink on a cold day it would seem!! I guess that makes them modern day heroes so I have added a track by the Beach Boys called Heroes and Villains www.youtube.com/watch?v=43PXSb3a4j8 and seeing that the anonymous person clearly loves her I am also adding 'And I Love Her' by the Beatles www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_c2XZd9mMo

A beautiful day at Greenacre Bay, Ganavan,Oban with the Isle of Mull visible in the background. Note the Great Pyramids of Ganavan that look even more impressive when viewed on full screen:-))))))) No bench today, but please do feel free to take a seat on the beach in the shade of the pyramids and enjoy the view and the peace.

Captured at Burnham on Sea - and I thought this wall with the heart was just right for a Valentine's Day HWW! There are a number of these hearts along the sea front although I have no idea of their purpose or what they represent - if not love!! So, - Is This Love? Listen here to Alison Moyet www.youtube.com/watch?v=eamv9WBP5jo Happy Valentine's Wall Wednesday! (And a Happy Valentine's Day also, of course!!)

Captured at Achray Forest and this moss covered fence caught my attention. Just around the corner in the top of the picture I turned to take another look as we were going back to the car and made a discovery. As you can see in the PiPs this is clearly what skiers do when there is no snow - they head for the forest:-)))))))). A strange sight indeed. The Green Man is a figure of folk culture and is a symbol of nature, spring and rebirth I have added a song called 'The Green Man' by Martin Donnelly www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKfLcCKdSEg This is much nicer on full screen. I would appreciate it if you could view this large. Many thanks

Castle Stalker was built on it's own little island on Loch Laich an inlet off of Loch Linnhe near Appin in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Built in the 16th cenury for the Stewarts of Appin it is a four storey tower house in a beautiful setting and was once used as a hunting lodge for James IV. Indeed the Gaelic for Castle Stalker is Caisteal an Stalcaire, with Stalcaire meaning 'hunter' or 'falconer;' Castle Stalker has been used in a number of films like 'Highlander - Endgame' and others, but will be instantly recognised by many as 'Castle Aaargh' from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. That fact alone is probably good enough reason to make this a 'Happy' Wall Wednesday!!! A close up of the castle walls can be seen in the PiP and I think the main image would benefit from viewing large. Many thanks and HWW I have added a song called 'Hunter' by Dido www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOqgXRxNz9I

Captured at Minehead harbour. I liked the bench with the wheel shaped armrests and the fence detail, - and the peacock was a nice little bonus. I would be as proud as a peacock to live in a house with a lovely little nook like this. I have added a song called ' Proud' by Heather Small www.youtube.com/watch?v=OygsHbM1UCw HBM and have a good week ahead

Minehead, Somerset and this little chap seems to be on watch at the RNLI station. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) HFF everyone and I wish you a lovely weekend.

Captured at Minehead Harbour, Somerset on a cold but beautiful day. I loved the clouds and the light on the wet beach. In the distance you can see the white peaked roof of the Butlins Holiday Camp but I prefer the calm of the harbour. HWW! Best viewed large I think. Many thanks

Captured at Minehead, Somerset, these 'boat benches' are situated in front of the entrance to the museum. The museum has only been in operation since 2014 and are currently working to raise funds to move to larger premises. The museum offers a range of exhibits and give both visitors and locals a taste of the history of Minehead. Minehead takes it's name from the old English word for hill, 'myned'. During the 9th century AD there were several raids by the Danes and it is thought that the local Hobby Horse was introduced, possibly as a deterrent to invaders. The museum has a complete hobby horse costume and two masks. Traditionally on the eve of May 1st the hobby horse is paraded through the town accompanied by a masked figure and musicians playing drums and accordions and collecting money whish nowadays is donated to the lifeboat station. Amongst other exhibits there is a collection of Punch and Judy puppets donated by Roy Van Dyke, an entertainer and magician who used to put on Punch and Judy shows in Minehead. The museum is situated just across from the railway station. Seeing as we have boats in the picture and the railway station close by, and the fact that Arthur C Clarke was born in Minehad I am going to add a song called 'Trains and Boats and Planes' www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4vghTykMw Information from the Minehead Museum website.

Captured at Minehad Harbour in Somerset on a very cold day despite the sunshine, the fluffy clouds and the light on the sea. On a warmer day I could spend more time here dreaming and enjoying the view and the sight of the clouds rolling in to shore, the little boats and the beautiful light. I have added a song by Laufey called 'Dreamer' www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI29dHDkJh4 I would appreciated if you could view this on full screen. Many thanks

Carnasserie Castle, near Kilmartin, Argyll & Bute. The castle is a 16th Century tower house which is now in ruins but was once the home of the first Protestant Bishop of the Isles Master John Carswell, Rector of Kilmartin.

Captured at Walfords Gibbet, on the Quantock Hills, Somerset The place name comes from the story of a young man, a charcoal burner named John Walford who was very popular and became engaged to be married to a lady named Ann Rice. A local girl named Jane Shorney however set her sights on John and became pregnant by him. He was arrested and told he must marry Jane or pay for the upkeep of his child. His engagement to Ann was ended and he married Jane. The marriage was soon in trouble and three weeks after the marriage with Jane already pregnant for a second time the couple went to Castle comfort in Donnington with John arriving back home in the early hours on his own. The next day some children spotted some blood coming from below a gate and the body of Jane Walford was found beaten and knifed in what became known as Dead Woman's Ditch. A search of their cottage revealed a bloody knife and John was arrested and sentenced to death. His former fiance came to see him before he was hanged and gave him her forgiveness. John's body was left to hang for 100 days for all to see. I have added a song called 'The Hanging Tree' sung here by Rachel Zegler. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj0yKnXkc-Y Best viewed large I think. Many thanks

Captured at the end of the jetty at Burnham on Sea, Somerset. One little girl has her eyes firmly on the horizon and the other jumps for joy so a fitting image for New Year's Eve I think. Happy New Year to you all. Whatever lies over the horizon I wish you all good health and happiness in 2024. Life is a beach so whether you are leaving your own footprints in the sand, watching the sun setting on the horizon with a sense of wonder or feeling the breeze ruffling your hair, the sun on your back, sand between your toes or the first soft raindrops on your face I wish you joy and enrichment from these simple pleasures. I also wish you safe harbour in life's stormy times and light to brighten the darker moments. Thank you for all your continued friendship and support in 2023. Happy New Year!