Category Archives: Birds

Out in the Fields

May 19, 2014 by Words | 2 Comments

Today was definitely a taste of summer, and too good to miss a chance to head out to the local downland fields at lunchtime. There was just enough of a breeze to keep things comfortable, and the views are always good even if there’s little else around.

Horse in field at Falmer

A few yellowhammers were down at ground level, feeding.

yellowhammer

I’d all but given up and was heading away when I noticed a slight inconsistency in the distance. Peering through the camera I could just make out a couple of foxes at the edge of the field. They were by some dense shrubs and were warming themselves in the sunshine.

Two foxes in field at Falmer

Two foxes in field at Falmer

The third shot was taken a few minutes later after they had retreated back under cover. I was actually photographing the rabbit in the top of the frame and only spotted the fox lurking near the bottom of the image later on.

fox and rabbit

On another day I’ll do better (I can hardly do worse), but it’s always a treat to get photos of foxes in fields.

Back on campus the blue tits are still actively feeding their young. The adult pair was gathering food so quickly that they almost crashed into each other as one was entering and the other leaving the nest box.

Two blue tits

It can’t be too long now before the young fledge. I’d really like to see that, but since I don’t know quite when that will be and my time is constrained I’ll need a fair slice of luck.

The final photo tonight is to make up for all the eye strain in picking out the daytime foxes. This is the nicked ear fox in the garden this evening.

fox in long grass

Camera note: all daytime photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The nicked-ear fox was taken with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

Also posted in Farming, Foxes, horse Tagged , , , |

West Pier and other Brighton Sights

May 18, 2014 by Words | 5 Comments

We had to go down into Brighton today and while we were in town we made the most of the beautiful sunshine and went for a stroll along the promenade. The area near the Palace Pier (the lively, fairground pier) was mobbed, as might be expected on what was probably the warmest Sunday of the year so far. We headed west towards the quieter Hove end of the promenade and the West Pier, which for me far outshines its more successful sibling.

More of the West Pier collapsed during the winter storms, but for all that it remains a wonderfully iconic feature. Click on the image to enlarge (it should roughly fill your screen).

West Pier, Brighton

Many years ago I used to live on the sea front in Hove. That was when I was a student (late 1970s). I was in a basement at the far end of Brunswick Terrace. The place was damp, dingy and running with rodents. It was also huge, with an 80 foot corridor running the length of it. The buildings have had something of a face lift since those days and now go for a not so small fortune.

Brunswick Terrace

I didn’t notice when I took this photo, but if you look to the right-hand side at the ice cream van you’ll notice someone standing just in front of it filming with a tripod. And down at ground level, this sign. I’ve no idea whether it is for real or not, but it seems so typically Brighton (or Hove, actually… by about 50 yards).

ice cream for dogs

Brighton (and Hove) is certainly quirky, and is the only place in the country with a Green MP and a Green Council (ironically we also have some of the worst recycling rates in the UK and they’ve got worse under the Green regime). With the Euro elections this week the Green Party Bus was out drumming up support (there was a distinct lack of activity in its vicinity while we were there). The bus, I’m told, runs on bio-fuel (aka re-used cooking oil).

Green Party Bus

As for wildlife you probably expect some gulls, or possibly a cormorant. They were certainly around, though the latter were out of range of my 70-300mm lens. I’ve got something rather better though. These shots were taken as we walked up West Street, just off the seafront.

Peregrine falcon over West Street, Brighton

Peregrine falcon over West Street, Brighton

Peregrine falcon over West Street, Brighton

Unmistakably a peregrine falcon, and almost certainly one of the pair that breed on the roof of Sussex Heights, a towering block of flats in central Brighton.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens.

Also posted in Bird of Prey, coastal, Landscape, Seaside Views Tagged , , , , , |

Blue Tits in the Day and a Night Fox

May 17, 2014 by Words | 5 Comments

My search for blue tits continues. Small, (mainly) woodland birds are always tricky so it will take me a while before I get any images I’m genuinely pleased with. Today was pretty good though. I went back to the same site I was at yesterday and managed a few so-so shots. It was as I was heading away from there that I found another nest box. This time it was on a path, and though the tree was still throwing a heavy shade the light was significantly better than under the dense cover of the wood.

Blue tit at nesting box

I have lots of photos like that, with the head just peeping out, and a few like this before the bird entered the nest.

Blue tit at nesting box

And a couple as it flew away in search of grubs.

Blue tit at nesting box

Blue tit at nesting box

I need to work on my technique for the flight shots. It’s all a question of timing. If I wait for the bird to take to the wing it is out of frame before I can fire the shutter.

The final blue tit photo for today is a more natural view of the bird, high in the tree looking for food (caterpillars, moth eggs and so on). Click on the image to enlarge it.

blue tit in tree

That was today. The foxes (yes two of them) are from last night. First up is the vixen. She paused only briefly before scurrying away behind the pergola and out of the garden.

vixen

The real star was Nicked Ear. He’s getting bolder and stayed around for around 10 minutes. He was clearly aware of me and tolerated the torch and flash.

Fox in suburban garden

Fox in suburban garden

Fox in suburban garden

Fox in suburban garden

I saw him again tonight, but let him be after just a couple of frames. At night the foxes rule the garden and we’re the intruders.

Camera note: all blue photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. All fox photos taken with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

Also posted in Foxes Tagged , |