While many of the roads in the south are clearing, locally we are still surrounded by frozen roads while the distant hills maintain their snowy covering. The clear skies are keeping the temperature down, but allow clear views out to sea (the coast is about 3 miles from here).
The garden is beginning to thaw, warmed by the weak winter sun.
The cold snap affects all wildlife as they seek what sources of food and warmth might be available. Behaviours change and ranges widen in the constant search for sustenance. This morning a flock of black-headed gulls swooped over the garden, a welcome change from the perennial herring gulls. This afternoon it was the turn of a kestrel. Nothing so unusual in that (they fly high overhead regularly), but today it dropped low and paused to hover just to the rear of the garden. The local (herring) gulls maintained a noisy watch, but didn't disturb it.
Its hovering was in earnest, and after several minutes it swooped. I followed the rapid descent with the camera until it disappeared beyond the trees, somewhere in a neighbouring garden.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
SittingFox
20 Dec 2009Goodness, they really do turn themselves into a downward angle when diving, don't they – it's amazing that they still lose control and plummet downwards!
We've still got a lot of snow on the ground up here. It will surely have melted by Christmas, though, unless we get a fresh fall.
Words
20 Dec 2009It's great the way their feet seem to run as they start the swoop. I wouldn't fancy being on the landing end of them though.
I can't believe that Eurostar have trotted out the 'wrong sort of snow' argument again! I mean it's cold, but not that cold :psmurf: I think you're right… it will be mostly clear for Christmas.
cakkleberrylane
21 Dec 2009Very draamatic shots of the kestrel!
Words
21 Dec 2009Lois, thanks. And I didn't even have to leave the garden to get these!
Flying Red Fox Blog
21 Dec 2009Very good shots yay 😀 I wonder if Bognor is visible from that coastline like in the photo i sent you? Its very interesting isnt it, if only i had a lens that did 600mm or something lol 😛
Wonder if thats your place on top of the hill in my photo, am i spying on you :sherlock:
Words
21 Dec 2009Mark, there's no land in sight in that direction, but I just found this photo taken at Rotitngdean a while ago. Click on it for a larger version.
As for a 600mm lens…. out of my price range :faint:
Flying Red Fox Blog
21 Dec 2009Yay iam sure thats the same power station chimney at Shoreham that i can see, that tall building must be one of the ones that i can see too just along to the right of my photo. 😀
If you take one to the left you might be able to pick out Butlins i think.
Its amazing how far we can see, yet it takes an hour or more to travel it.
anonymous
21 Dec 2009DaveABirding writes:
Nice shots, love the lighting from below when a clear sky is reflected off a snowy landscape!
RobinL
21 Dec 2009Great sequence with the Kestrel.
Ukwildlife
21 Dec 2009Great photos. The kestrel sequence is excellent
Words
21 Dec 2009Mark, yes that's Shoreham (no doubt about that, it's just a few miles away). I'll take some shots more across the coast next time I get a clear day down there and we can compare!
Words
21 Dec 2009Dave, thanks!
Words
21 Dec 2009Robin, thanks!
Words
21 Dec 2009Neil, thanks!