Now this could have been a bit of reckless move…
Common lizard and ant at Watts bank, University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb campus
Ant and Lizard detail
Of course the other lizard was lounging around as well…
Lounge Lizard
Resting that weary head
And one last shot of the green lizard
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
All sorts of bits and pieces today. It’s probably not quite #234 in a series, but it’s the kind of post I haven’t done for a while. I’ll start with an old friend from Falmer Pond, taken yesterday. It’s a duck (not a rat in case you were hoping.)
Duck reflected in Falmer pond
Also from yesterday a shy lizard (the green one again)
Common lizard campus
And a rude lizard!
Common lizard showing forked tongue
This morning took me down to Brighton seafront (I’m all over the place at the moment for work). These were taken around 8.30am in foggy conditions. The first is the latest iconic Brighton structure, the incomparably dreadful i360.
i360 (i-Sore) tower in the mist on Brighton seafront
Much more to my taste are the stunning ruins of the old West Pier. I never tire of them.
The ruins of the iconic West Pier, Brighton
Lastly, something from the garden… one of the badgers.
Badger in the garden at night
Camera note: pier and i-Sore taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens; the duck with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens; lizards with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens; and the badger with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
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.
