After yesterday's excitement out on the downs, it was to the altogether calmer environment of Rottingdean Beach today. The slightly overcast weather kept most of the visitors away (human and sea birds), but the scene at low tide is worth a visit in its own right.
I've never really explored the rock pools before, but there's certainly plenty to see. There's the seaweed, which is draped over everything…
And clinging to every rock there are colonies of limpets…
I'd never really given limpets much thought before, but they are quite astounding creatures. They have a 'home' location on the rocks, which fits their shell perfectly. They don't remain rooted all the time but will return to their precise location, which they are also known to defend from intruders by nudging them away with their shell.
Overhead there were of course some gulls…
And the fulmars were at home. I could hardly visit without taking a few shots of them. 😉
There are a few more shots in the Rottingdean album. I'll have to go back at low tide with a macro lens and light (and net and bucket). There's plenty more to discover there.
Camera note: the views of the beach, the seaweed and limpet were all taken with the EF17-40mm f/4L USM. I used the on-board flash to assist the close-ups. The fulmars and gull were captured with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
gdare
4 May 2009It is hard to believe that photos you`ve made during high tide is actually at the same place :eyes:
Words
4 May 2009It's so stark when the tide is out. The rock has been eaten away by the currents and you get this amazing, but very slippery, patchwork of channels.
SittingFox
4 May 2009Limpets are cool 😎 I hope one day to see one on the move! Yes, I can certainly imagine that it is pretty slippery down there :eyes:
Words
4 May 2009Adele, it can be fairly treacherous out on the rocks until the sun has dried things out a bit, but worth taking a bit of care to get out to see what is going on.
Ukwildlife
4 May 2009great photos. I was on the beach myself on Sunday, but there were slim pickings in the pools, just shed crab skins and a snad hopper that was scared off by an out of control dog – theres no escape from them! lol
Words
4 May 2009Neil, those dogs get everywhere! It can be irritating if they scare off flocks of some of the more nervous visitors (gulls can cope), but they do see to have such an amazing time in the surf.
Flying Red Fox Blog
5 May 2009Lovelly photos 😀 i remember when i used to go crab foraging in rock pools in nearby Felpham beach, once i slipped over and fell in the fairly deep pool lol 😆 i didnt have a camera then so didnt mind!
Felpham gets VERY seaweedy around July and August, it makes the locals complain each year, apparently it comes from a patch off Littlehampton and drifts our way.
The Seagull shot with the crab is cool, taking it for its first and final flying lesson 😉
Words
5 May 2009LOL at the flying lesson 😆
It's so tempting to get out into the rock pools but I do somewhat worry about (a) the camera and (b) my ankles. Don't fancy breaking either of them (but at least the camera is insured!)
studio41
8 May 2009stunning post
annoushkiss
14 May 2009Great capture of the gull with a crab :up: and very nice closeups, too.
Words
14 May 2009Thanks Jill!
Words
14 May 2009Thanks Anna!