Category Archives: Wildlife

Samples of wildlife photography

Kestrel at Watts House

October 13, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

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

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

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

Young kestrel at Watts Bank

Young kestrel at Watts Bank, Moulsecoomb, University of Brighton

Young kestrel at Watts Bank, Moulsecoomb, University of Brighton

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.

Autumn Squirrels

October 6, 2015 by Words | 4 Comments

The weather is turning. The nights are closing in, and the sunshine is increasingly being replaced by the wet stuff. But the real proof that autumn is here is that the squirrels are busy squirrelling for nuts and seeds in the undergrowth. These were taken at lunchtime today, but the tree canopy was doing a fine job of filtering out the weakening sun. All the photos were taken at ISO 1600, which with care gave just enough shutter speed (but only just).

Squirrel at squirrelling for seeds at the Manor House, University of Brighton

Squirrel at squirrelling for seeds at the Manor House, University of Brighton

Squirrel posing by a stone wall

Squirrel posing by a stone wall

Squirrel posing by a stone wall

Now with the head raised slightly!

squirrel

Thinking about coming out from the undergrowth

squirrel under cover

Under cover

squirrel turning tail

And turning tail…

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

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Moulsecoomb Views

September 28, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

Well I’m slowly getting settled into a new routine, following the relocation at work. It’s a different route in, but it takes me past Sheepcote Valley where late skylarks were enjoying an unseasonably sunny morning.

Skylark at Sheepcote Valley

Skylark at Sheepcote Valley

I’ve been making my enquiries about the local area (Moulsecoomb) and discovered that there are good walks up on the surrounding Downs. And I do mean ‘up’. It was a steep climb, but I was rewarded with this: a local dew pond. It took me a solid 20 minutes to get there in fine, dry conditions. It’s a fair weather location; but good to know about.

Dew Pond at Moulsecoomb

Dew Pond at Moulsecoomb

I even saw a couple of buzzards up there. 🙂

Buzzard at Moulsecoomb

Buzzard at Moulsecoomb

Not much other wildlife (apart from numerous magpies), but the pond was being used to cool down by this very elegant poodle (not so elegant after a soaking!)

Black poodle in dew pond

Black poodle in dew pond

Black poodle in dew pond

Black poodle in dew pond

Just beyond the dew pond I was surprised to get a view of my old stomping ground at Falmer. This shot shows the Brighton and Hove albion football stadium (the ‘Amex’) with the University campus on the right.

Brighton and Hove Albion Amex Community Stadium and the University of Brighton, Falmer campus

Brighton and Hove Albion Amex Community Stadium and the University of Brighton, Falmer campus

Last shot for today is a large white butterfly.

Large white butterfly

Large white butterfly

So overall, the new location has some great views and some interesting areas to explore. It’s going to be harder work than Falmer (climbing hills, and no semi-domesticated water fowl to watch), but while the weather is fine it could be good.

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

Also posted in Bird of Prey, Birds, Butterfly, dog, Landscape Tagged , , , , , |