A seasonally dull day today, gloomy with a hint of drizzle in the air. A grey day, so here’s a grey squirrel spotted on a tree at the edge of the campus. The first three photos taken at ISO 1600; the final one at ISO 3200.
Grey squirrel peeking through the branches
Now this one really is grey…
Black and white portrait of a grey squirrel
Looking straight atcha!
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
Today I didn’t go wandering, but spent an hour waiting for the kestrel to come to me. And, wow, didn’t it just. These were taken on Watts Bank, to the rear of Watts House at the University of Brighton.
This looks like a mature bird, a female… and it put on a great display. Enjoy!
Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton
Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton
Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton
Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton
Kestrel on lighting rig outside Watts House, University of Brighton
Kestrel on lighting rig outside Watts House, University of Brighton
Kestrel at Watts House, University of Brighton
Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
Sometimes it’s better to stay put, but that’s a lesson I learnt after I clambered all the way up here in search of the local kestrels.
South Downs at Hollingbury/Moulsecoomb
I got back to work (exercised, but with no sightings to report) to discover that a kestrel had been seen on Watts Bank (the patch of green just outside Watts House, my new location at work). Apparently it had been out hunting, and – presumably – feeding! later in the day I glanced out of my window, and sure enough it was back. This first shot was taken through a narrow gap from my desk (the windows don’t open very wide).
Young kestrel at Watts Bank, Moulsecoomb, University of Brighton
By the look of it, it’s a youngster, quite small and without the distinctive adult markings on the head and face. I popped outside briefly to get a slightly better shot.
Young kestrel at Watts Bank
This is going to encourage me to stay put if the weather holds, so that I get more time to get a little closer and see what other wildlife the area is home to. There are certainly lizards (though I’ve not seen them, and it’s getting a touch cold for them to venture out), plus slow worms. And chiffchaffs! It should be a good spot for butterflies as well.
For now though, having a local kestrel is a definite plus!
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
