Seven Sisters is one of the prettiest countryside parks in Sussex. The name comes from the cliffs at the entrance to the inlet which meanders through the valley creating a perfect wetland habitat. It's one of my regular spots, but today I had rather more time than usual. It was warm, but windy. The weather is just about holding up.
The cliffs rise steeply. We remained firmly at sea level.
Of course there's wildlife there as well as beautiful views. The site is especially good for red shanks, which nest in the long grass alongside salt water channels. These shots were taken away from the nesting area (which is protected at this time of year).
The location also boasts a good colony of little egrets with their distinctive white plumage.
Some Canada geese were in the distance, and swallows were diving along the edge of the water. Above, the sound of skylarks and house martins filled the air. The day, however, belonged to the cormorants. On the water…
…and in the air.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
30 Jul 2012LOL … Cormorants are like loons in the water … they always look like they're sinking. The really odd part is, with all that wetted surface ("wetted", hell! "underwater"!) they can get up enough speed to take off.
A nice trip to a place most of us have never heard of, let alone seen. Thanks!
gdare
30 Jul 2012Canada geese came to Olympics, I guess 😛
SittingFox
30 Jul 2012I think I've driven past it, but I haven't actually been there. Nice to see the redshanks – one of the few birds with a name that makes sense! (Well, nearly. Perhaps orangeshanks would be better.)
Words
1 Aug 2012dW, they make look like loons, but boy can they swim fast. They do need a bit of a run to get started when they take off. Those big flappy feet must help.
Words
1 Aug 2012Darko, good call! I bet they hitch-hiked down from Saskatchewan. 😉
Words
1 Aug 2012Adele, I'm rubbish at identifying waders, but as you say, red shanks are relatively easy when you can see their legs. It's a good spot. Some nice woods as well on the other side of the road.