It won't last, but we saw sunshine today… all day, and at the weekend! Ok, it's freezing cold outside now (the pond has ice on it) and the forecast is for rain later in the week, but as the saying goes, 'make hay while the sun shines' which is exactly what we did.
We took the relatively lazy option of heading down to Rottingdean. This avoids the sodden fields and woodland paths, plus guarantees some decent bird sightings as well as good views. 
View of Brighton Marina taken from the top of the Rottingdean cliffs
Gulls… with Saltdean in the background
The tide was in (which means there was little chance of seeing any waders), and the undercliff promenade was crowded with people out enjoying the sun. This isn't a quiet spot, but that doesn't seem to bother the birds that make Rottingdean their home. Like this jackdaw, one of many that live in small crevices in the rock face.
But being Rottingdean, and this being my blog, main photos are inevitably going to be fulmars. The colony looks very healthy and there was a constant traffic of them flying along the cliff face, circling out to sea and sweeping in as they attempted to find a rocky foothold. And 'rocky' is the word… nine times out of 10 it's 'mission abandoned'. 
Some do make it of course…
Mainly though, this is what you see…
While we were there I took one other shot which I'll post tonight. This view features in a current National Lottery TV advert. I've no idea why they chose to film in Rottingdean, but they did. Anyway, it's a great view and gives a good idea of the size of the chalk cliffs.
Beach huts at Rottingdean
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, except the final shot which was taken with the EF17-40mm f/4L USM lens.
gdare
10 Jan 2011There is a nice contrast between sky and a cliff :up:
And I guess fulmars are just… fulmars 😀
wellisteffi
10 Jan 2011Oh, how nice.
As you get into the holiday mood.
Fantastic pictures. :up:
SittingFox
10 Jan 2011Lovely sunny shots! It really is amazing how many birds congregate by cliffs.
It was a beautiful weekend here but unfortunately I spent most of it battling my flu's parting gift (a very bad cough which is still driving me crazy) so, I missed out 😥
Words
10 Jan 2011Darko, welcome back! And looking at the time you posted that you really did have jet-lag!
Fulmars are always very good at being fulmars. That's what I love about them!
Words
10 Jan 2011Adele, sorry to hear you're still coping with the remnants of the evil bug. Coughs are a real pain.
I was feeling lazy which is why we headed for Rottingdean. I wasn't going to waste the light given that we've had so little of it. I must get back to the Downs soon though.
Words
10 Jan 2011Steffi, it's a bit early for 'holiday mood' (I've only just gone back to work!), but sunshine and coasts are always a good combination. 🙂
Words
11 Jan 2011Thanks Erwin!
cakkleberrylane
12 Jan 2011Very nice shots. I especially like the one coming straight at the camera.
Ukwildlife
12 Jan 2011Gotta love the fulmars! Great photos
Words
12 Jan 2011Neil, thanks! They are such crazy birds. I can (and do) watch them for hours.
Words
12 Jan 2011Lois, thanks! The fulmars are very easy on one level as they continually circle (having inevitably failed to land) so you can pretty much line up almost any shot you want.
Cynthia23
13 Jan 2011Awesome shots! Especially the one coming right at you with wings outstretched! WOW! Words you have a special way about taking movement and making it flat within your photo, but still keeping the movement intact. Love your photography!
Words
13 Jan 2011Cynthia, thanks! The fulmars are a treat. I like that they fly along the cliff to give some background to the shots. And those cliffs are very evenly coloured (and light). A very permissive combination for taking photos. Birds against woodland are an entirely more difficult proposition!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Lovely