The young gulls were asleep this morning when I went to check on them. I took a couple of reference shots and was about to leave them to it when an adult turned up. Not just any adult, but an adult with FOOD!
That shot is of the chick on the 'lower deck' of the roof. The feeding set off a minor temper tantrum on the 'upper deck' where the smaller of the two chicks was feeling left out!
It wasn't long before 'lower deck' was joining in.
As for other recent news, I'd been told about a field near work where buzzards are frequently seen. I popped over to the approximate area yesterday, and sure enough it wasn't long before one appeared. I took several shots, and although most were too distant I've added a selection to the June Birds album. The other major sighting while I was there was a heron in flight. That's the first I've seen round here (photo is dire but is in the album).
As an added bonus, the views of the South Downs were spectacular.
I've also made a couple of visits to the dew pond this week to see the dragonflies. They're not too abundant yet, but I did see some newts surfacing in the warm weather. Their appearance is an important confirmation of the maturing of the pond which was constructed 3 or 4 years ago. As far as I know this is the first year they've been in evidence.
In the garden we've had a hedgehog visiting, and on the fox front there was a brief visit by the bold vixen earlier in the week (that's a sausage in her mouth, by the way), and tonight the old dog fox put in an appearance for the first time since last weekend.
Camera note: all shots on this page taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, except the vixen photo which was taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
Cynthia23
21 Jun 2008This is where I come for moments of smiles, sometimes giggles, but today I am laughing out loud. The second pic of the baby gull flexing his wings is just hilarious! :up: Also, the South Downs pic is spectacular!
ellinidata
21 Jun 2008oh sweet he is!
it reminds me my kids trying to give their first steps!!
so adorable, so fragile, so amazingly sweet!
thanks!
:hest:
gdare
21 Jun 2008South Downs looks excellent in this photo :up:
SittingFox
21 Jun 2008:up: for the buzzard! 🙂
And it was nice to have clear weather for a few days this week, wasn't it! 😉
Vulpes vulpes
21 Jun 2008😆 @ temper tantrum! Great shots – and a buzzard!! 😎
anonymous
21 Jun 2008Jane at Urban Extension writes:
Great picture of the South Downs. Looks like you could see for miles and miles. Thanks for posting it. Jane
Words
22 Jun 2008Vulpes, thanks! :cheers:
Words
22 Jun 2008Darko, it's a really beautiful part of the country. Thanks.
Words
22 Jun 2008Angeliki, it was great how they switched from being blissfully asleep into crazed rushing around. Too much excitement!
Words
22 Jun 2008Adele, yes the weather ws (briefly) great. It was nice to get out. I took these about 15 minutes away from work so it's just about about do-able in a lunch break.
Words
22 Jun 2008Jane, thanks. The views can be spectacular. I'll have to take a wider lens out with me next time.
Words
22 Jun 2008Cynthia, yes I loved that back view of the gull trying to take off!
cakkleberrylane
22 Jun 2008The baby gulls always bring a smile! Beautiful shots of the buzzard, the vixen and the downs.
zetorres
22 Jun 2008Great baby sea gulls with this firts fly! :up:
Amazing view of South Downs! :up:
Words
22 Jun 2008Lois, thanks. I'm really pleased to have found the site for watching the buzzards. Amazing birds.
Words
22 Jun 2008ZT, I think they're still surprised when they leave the ground 😆
zetorres
23 Jun 2008:lol::lol: indeed! 😆
Words
23 Jun 2008Thanks Skip!
Skip247
23 Jun 2008😀 These images are amazing. Very much enjoyed. Thanks for sharing them here.