More from the Seaside

August 6, 2013 by Words | Comments Off

Something of a follow-up to yesterday’s post, but this time from further along the seafront in what is most definitely Hove. This part of the beach is much quieter than the busy Brighton end, and much more relaxing. This is looking back along the front towards Brighton.

View from Hove to Brighton beach

And this shot is looking even further west, towards Shoreham which you can see in the distance.

View of Hove beach

Being the beach there are gulls. Herring gulls mainly. Unlike the ‘Brighton’ gulls these ones tended not to dive bomb every passer-by in the hope of grabbing food; but given the chance the Hove birds do know how scavenge. This mini-flock has just descended on some discarded fish and chips.

Flock of greedy herring gulls, Hove, East Sussex

Flock of greedy herring gulls, Hove, East Sussex

And now for a fox. This is Bully Boy.

Portrait of a fox cub

Portrait of a fox cub

Camera note: all beach shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens. The fox cub photographed with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

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Pier to Pier

August 5, 2013 by Words | Comments Off

Brighton is privileged to boast two piers, and today my travels took me along the seafront from Brighton Pier (formerly (and still known locally as) ‘the Palace Pier’) to the one which remains by far my favourite of the two, the old ruins of the West Pier.

Brighton Pier is where all the tourists go. It’s a typical seaside amusement park, with slot machines, candy floss, and fairground rides that spin at dizzying speeds.

Brighton Pier (formerly the Palace Pier) at Brighton, viewed from the West

My route took me to just opposite the West Pier. You can’t go on the pier… it’s no longer connected to land, there are no rides, and slowly but surely it is crumbling into the sea. I love it!

The ruins of the West Pier at Brighton viewed from the East

The ruins of the West Pier at Brighton viewed from the East

People may no longer go to the pier, but it’s a haven for the local sea birds, and at certain times of the year large murmurations of starlings can be seen circling its skeletal form. This morning it was quiet. There were the inevitable gulls (mainly herring gulls, but I spotted the odd black-backed gull among them), and some cormorants.

Detail of the ruins of the West Pier at Brighton with roosting cormorants.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens.

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Painted Lady, a Peacock and more foxes

August 5, 2013 by Words | Comments Off

Painted Ladies have arrived in Sussex. These pretty butterflies are regular migrants to the south coast, though it is some years since we saw a genuinely large influx. This year seems good, but not on the scale of 2009 when around 11 million painted ladies arrived in the UK. Still, there seem to be more than last year (which was dire), and they are well worth a few images.

Butterfly

Butterfly

Butterfly

Butterfly

The peacock butterflies are also arriving in the garden. They are slightly less cooperative with the camera, but this is a nice wing detail.

Wing detail of peacock butterfly (Inachis io) on buddleia shrub

As for the foxes, Bully Boy has been hanging around today, along with Pretty. They seem to be getting on much better now (no fights). Bully Boy even decided to help out with our household chores.

Fox cub next to washing basket in suburban garden

I think I’ve mentioned that he has a long snout (possibly related to Shy Boy). Anyway, these shots illustrate the point rather well.

Portrait of a fox cub's head

Close up of fox nose and eyes

Camera note: all butterfly shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The first shot of Bully Boy taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens; the two close-up with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

Posted in Foxes, Wildlife Tagged , , , , |