A slightly better day today. It was dry (mainly), and there were hints of blue sky above. Only hints, though. So rather than risk getting windswept on the Downs I headed over to Rottingdean Beach.
It was quiet, a few gulls overhead and some hardier locals enjoying the sea air. I wandered away from the main part of the beach to a narrow concrete walkway which stretches out over the sea for about 50 yards. I presume it's there for fishing, but I'm yet to see anyone use it for that. There was one small bird hopping about though, a tree pipit which had flown down from the cliff tops. It was kind enough to pose for a few shots.
Tree pipit
The beach at Rottingdean is in sections, divided by groynes which help protect against erosion. After the pipit had flown, I moved on to the next section which from the walkway had seemed deserted. As I walked across the pebbles I noticed some movement at the far end. A small group of turnstones were busy feeding by the edge of the surf. I've seen them before, but never a group; and never in a situation where I can approach.
Turnstone
This is their winter plumage, less vivid than their summer look which combines a piebald face with reddish wing feathers. But the orange legs are unmistakable. 
Shaking out some sea food
Among the other birds seen down on the beach were cormorants sweeping along the horizon, and a trio of oystercatchers which settled briefly to feed with the turnstones. There are a few more shots in my Turnstones album. If I get time I'll add to it. I took a lot of shots (I got through three data cards :faint:).
Camera note: As for the photos, I struggled with the light and played around with an ISO setting between 640 and 1000 in an attempt to get some usable shutter speed. Most of the time the aperture was wide open (f/5.6), and as well as using negative exposure bias (to increase the shutter speed above the dismal 1/60s it was offering) I also used some low level fill flash on a number of the shots. Oh, and I had a UV filter on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens to protect against sea spray.
35 Comments
I like the first one. It was actually posing for you there 😀
It's funny because Orlando made the same blog-post with seagulls!!!
But you are more serious!!!;)
It's a beautiful blog-post!
The tree pipit is very cute, what look!!!
It tilts his head, you intrigued it!
A viewing pleasure, as always!
This is a wonderful post, Words !
But would you tell me what do you mean by "negative exposure bias" ? I presume it's exposure compensation, subexposing slightly . Am I correct ?
@ Foll – I can't write this kind of post, unless I write in portuguese. And if I write in portuguese, nobody will read. Well, maybe Zé Torres would. 😀 And I don't have the photo skills that Words has, so, it would be a mistake if I tried to do such blog ! 😉
Some mighty fine shots!
Really nice photos and the Tree Pipit looked so cute 😀
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr……………:bug:
Orlando, tu m'énnerves!!!!:p
Who think that Orlando is a good photographer?!
Nobody, all his photos are really too too bad!:down:
:p
😆 😆
My photography is like my english: above average, but there's a long way in the path of learning… That's why I spy on Words… 😀
Et que penses tu de ton français?!;)
Terrible ! 😀
Who is Orlando? lol lets have the link to his blog so i can have a look. 😀
I think each one of us has a beautiful blog with great photos and the best thing about it, is each one is unique and different which is great!
Très terriblement terrible!!!;)
Of course Mark !!!:D
Orlando you are sure?!
Be Orlando or not to be Orlando?!
:rolleyes: 😆
Nice blog Orlando, me should say that on your blog really lol 😆
I am Orlando !:) I think… :left:
Darko, they're cute little birds, and very well behaved 😉
@ Mark – Thanks, Mark! I hope it's entertaining ! 😀
@ FH – … that is the question ! :yes:
Andy, thanks!
Orlando, the 'negative exposure bias' under-exposes the shot, like you thought. It's interesting to struggle with the camera, but I do prefer sunshine. And I enjoyed your seagulls :up:
Foll, thanks. Orlando's blog is great, and he has better captions.
Mark, thanks! 🙂
Vulpes, thanks :cheers:
great set of photos. The top one would have been lableled 'pipit sp.' by me lol
LOL, I was down at Rye yesterday and saw a couple of turnstones there too. Only the light was utterly awful :insane: and I got caught out in a heavy downpour, but it was still very pleasant.
Anyway, more nice shots and I particularly like the leaping turnstone :up:
Adele, must be a good time of year for them. The light was a pain (I thought it might brighten up by the coast), but I can't fault the birds for being cooperative.
Neil, thanks. A couple of bird field guides, plus having posted a similar one on WAB a while back I'm prepared to risk the identification. I hope I'm right!
😆 😆
Mick, I think it was getting bored with me by that point. :whistle:
Love the Tree Pipit with his
expression.
😆 😆
:up:
😆 @ the Tree Pipit
Cheers Eric :cheers:
Thanks Lois! The pipit does seem very popular. A cute little bird.
Wonderful photos! My favorite is the first one!