I’ve not posted for a few days, but on and off I’ve been out and about with the camera. The local short-eared owls seemed to have moved away for the summer (no reports of sightings for a week or so), but there are some cuckoos in the area. I’ve neither seen nor heard them yet, but I’ve had reliable reports from two sources. If I do see them that would be an absolute thrill. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or knowingly heard one before!

Anyway, Sheepcote Valley may have lost its owls for now, but the kestrels seem to be back in force.

Female kestrel at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

And here are a couple of a male kestrel (note the grey head feathers).

Kestrel at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Male kestrel hovering over Sheepcote Valley

The little common lizards are still enjoying the warmth of the brickwork at the edge of the car park at work. Here’s one from today enjoy the sunshine.

Common lizard at Watts bank, University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb

Watts bank, which my office desk overlooks also attracts butterflies. Nothing too extravagent at the moment, but the common blues are quite abundant. This is a female.

Common blue butterfly (female), Watts Bank, University of Brighton

As for the rural street art… I came across this in the middle of a local field. The burnt out wreck has been there for a while apparently. It seems that someone decided to give it a paint job to make it less of an eye-sore.

Burnt out car painted by graffiti artists, Brighton

Detail of graffiti car

A second abandoned car nearby had also been given the same treatment. It doesn’t solve the issue of abandoned vehicles (Brighton Council take note), but I did appreciate the creative tocuh of the unknown artist.

Last shot… Eye of Lizard!

Eye of Lizard

Camera note: kestrel and car photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. Butterfly and lizard taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.