In stark contrast to yesterday, we had sunshine for almost the whole of what is actually the shortest day of 2011. The clouds did mask any chance of a sunset, but by that time I had plenty stored away in the camera. The shots were all taken at Rottingdean,and although I spent most of my time (and the best part of two data cards) on fulmars, the first photo today is of a female kestrel which was hunting at the top of the cliffs.
It was the fulmars though that took most of my attention. They are now there in number, busy setting up home along the cliff face and preparing for the breeding season. This is a small selection. The last shot was taken as the sun was dipping behind the sea-hugging cloud bank. 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
derWandersmann
23 Dec 2011Exceptional shots, even for you, Words!
And the kestrel was a nice find. At first I thought it was a peregrine, but tumbled to it pretty quickly.
serola
23 Dec 2011Really 😎 pictures 🙂
Dudley
23 Dec 2011:up:
Cynthia23
23 Dec 2011These are exceptional photos!! Really, Words, your photography has developed into something fierce. It's amazing how it has grown. When I think back to this time a year ago and to how wonderful you photographed nature then and to see your photos now, it's amazing and fantastic how you have tuned your photography skills into something very special!
cakkleberrylane
23 Dec 2011All photos are great but I really enjoyed the third one the best!
SittingFox
27 Dec 2011Wow, excellent indeed! The fighting fulmars are great and so is the kestrel shot.
Words
28 Dec 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
28 Dec 2011Cynthia, thanks! It's a bit of a continual learning curve, but it helps when the conditions are favourable.
Words
28 Dec 2011dW, thanks! I do sometimes see peregrines there, but the kestrels are quite frequent visitors to the cliffs.
Words
28 Dec 2011Sami, thanks :cheers:
Words
28 Dec 2011Lois, thanks!
Words
28 Dec 2011Andy, :cheers:
Words
28 Dec 2011Adele, thanks. The fulmars are great subjects. So forgiving, they repeat every manoeuvre endlessly until you get the shot you want.
Ukwildlife
29 Dec 2011Nice stuff. I was photographing fulmars myself in Norfolk yesterday
Words
3 Jan 2012Neil, they're great birds to watch, thanks!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012A Great Set