Last weekend I encountered fulmars for the first time. I went back to Rottingdean today for another look and, if anything, they were even more active. Unlike the gulls which were congregating down on the beach (it was low tide), the fulmars were hugging the cliff face. The raised underwalk which runs below the cliffs (but above the beach) is perfect for capturing flight shots. They skim in at eye level as they head in to cliff from the sea.
It seems early for nesting, but their behaviour suggests that they may well be getting themselves ready. Numerous pairs were perched in hollows along the cliff face.
Lots of mutual billing…
Occasional spats…
And a few moments of calm…
Several appeared to have oil streaked on them. If it is oil, that's not such a good sign, though none of the birds seemed unduly affected by it. I've not heard of any spills locally, but we did have some timber washed up further along the coast, and a few planks were scattered along the beach today.
There are many more shots over in my Fulmar album, but I'll close with one of my favourites from this afternoon.
Fulmars
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens and UV filter.
15 Comments
:yes: Superb!
Great series.
Joe
Lovelly pics, funny how this latest wood spillage happened a year more or less after the one at Worthing! 😆
Nice catch, especially on last one. And, again, you have a nice weather unlike what we have here, fog and rain everyday. Sometimes I think I live in England :eyes:
😀
Just brilliant! Really like these shots. Fascinating birds – the nearest thing that we have to albatrosses!
As for the wood, I saw that on the news. I suppose someone will collect it eventually…
Andy, thanks :cheers:
Darko, we get decent weather in patches so you have take advantage of it when it happens. Today is wet and grey. I had lots of misses on attempting that last shot, but it was great to have some decent light for once.
Joe, thanks :cheers:
Mark, I guess the rough seas can cause problems. I think most of this load ended up on the Kent coast, but there were a few dozen planks scattered around which I assume must have washed in. Nothing like as extrmee as last year though.
Adele, thanks. The fulmars are noisy things; almost a croak but it makes it easy to know where to look when they're hiding on the cliff face.
:up: Ah, so that's where my matchsticks got to… :rolleyes:
And so at last I know where you hang out 😉
Ha, ha! If truth be told, I'm more of an east coaster. 😉
fantatstic shots words. Im might have to pop down there if Im in the area 🙂
Neil, thanks! It's a good spot. A bit of a surprise to see so many down here at this time of year.