Author Archives: Words

Fulmars and Pipits at Rottingdean

December 29, 2013 by Words | 2 Comments

There’s more rain forecast over the coming days, but today started beautifully. The blue skies were back, and – for the time of year – it was mild. I headed down to Rottingdean early this morning.

The tide was in, but the early boats were already out enjoying the relative calm.

Sea at Rottingdean

But it wasn’t boats I was there to see; it was fulmars, and a number were skirting the cliffs.

Fulmar

Fulmar

Fulmar

One or two had found nesting spots, which is the real reason they’re here at this time of year.

Fulmar

Closer to ground level, the little rock pipits were also enjoying the milder weather. These bold little birds often hop down to the walkway, but this one had found a tasty feast on the lower face of the cliffs.

rock pipit

rock pipit

rock pipit

Back home, Pretty is still flying the fox flag in the garden.

fox

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Posted in Birds, coastal, Foxes, water birds Tagged , , , |

A Passing Buzzard

December 29, 2013 by Words | Comments Off

Actually there were two buzzards over the garden late this morning. The clear skies were deep blue, and the flocks of herring gulls and pigeons that had been overhead all morning moved away as the pair came in from the eastern sky. The buzzards were scouting lazily as they came across, but there’s nothing here of much interest to them. They stayed on an even flight path, heading for nearby downland.

The firstthree photos are buzzard number one. The second one was lagging a minute or so behind.

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buzzard

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Posted in Bird of Prey Tagged |

Earthstar

December 28, 2013 by Words | 2 Comments

One familiar face in the garden, plus a surprise newcomer.

I was checking out the back of the garden after the heavy wind and rain of the past few days and spotted a most unexpected visitor lurking in the corner of an area covered in bark chippings (so with something of a woodland feel to it). There were two of them sitting there, looking slightly the worse for wear after the storms: Earthstars. These shots are of the better preserved of the pair. Although not rare, these are the first ones I’ve seen in the garden and I’ve only seen examples in woodland on handful of occasions. More about them can be found here

Earthstar

Earthstar

As for the familiar face, it’s fox-shaped and belongs to Pretty (who else?).

Fox

Fox

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

Posted in Foxes, fungi Tagged , , |