The sun is out but it's deceptively cold, especially as the strong winds sweep across the South Downs. Still, it's an improvement on what we'd become used to and the pond at Falmer Village is getting to be quite a lively place.
The heron is back, though I had to hunt around to see him.
I suspect the fishing in that corner wasn't ideal. He soon moved to a better spot.
The swallows are back (well four of them from what I could count). Here's one, as proof of the promise of summer soon to arrive.
At the back of the church, the little corvids (jackdaws) have taken up their habitual residence.
And under the woodland shade a white duck sits pretty.
Three cormorants also flew over in the morning, the geese were active, and rabbits were out in the fields. It's not yet summer, but it may been soon.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
19 Apr 2013Aye, and when it comes … Southern British Summers are no better than our Midwestern ones … the heat, by itself, is generally bearable, but the humidity is brutal.
I was down by the shore a couple of days ago, and saw two (and heard three) redwing blackbirds, so they're coming back into the area, and in a week or so will be raising unholy hell down there, screaming threats at each other as they stake out their territories.
That jackdaw picture is really cute.
gdare
19 Apr 2013Jackdaws look happy to steal that place from owl 😛
Wulpen
19 Apr 2013Nice post
Words
20 Apr 2013Erwin, thanks!
Words
20 Apr 2013dW, it's been a while since I can remember a genuinely hot summer (or at least it seems that way). Certainly we've had nothing too extraordinary since around 1976. That was hot. I'd happily settle for a few weeks where it settle in the mid 60°s (F).
Words
20 Apr 2013Darko, yes they'll certainly not give up that roost without a fight.
SittingFox
20 Apr 2013Lovely shot of the jackdaws 🙂 I still haven't seen any swallows.
Words
24 Apr 2013Adele, thanks. A few more swallows have appeared at Falmer, and there were some in Eastbourne earlier in the week. It's still rather cool for them though.