Yesterday (Monday) Anita expressed a desire to take a walk at the coast so with a blue sky we drove southwards to West Wittering and took a leisurely stroll from East Head towards Ella Nore. With a very strong wind there was the constant noise from the rigging on the boats twanging against the empty masts. The tide was rushing in but we did manage to spot a few species; Little Egrets, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Dunlin before they headed further up the harbour. We also counted 200 Brent Geese on the water plus 4 Red-breasted Mergansers.
At a number of places there were good numbers of Red Admirals flitting around.
A chance sweep overhead with the bins and we spotted an Osprey (first sighting this year) heading away from us so just a fleeting opportunity to bang off a distant shot. (Original cropped).
This Herring Gull had clearly marked its domain!
Rusted links.
On our return to the car we we fortunate to get another chance to watch the Osprey again. It flew in high with the sun behind it and in the blustery conditions I struggled to maintain a decent focus but I'm happy to have got a few record shots.
As it dived lower it was mobbed by Crows and Lapwings but still managed to grab a meal and once again disappear way over the other side of the harbour. Unfortunately my view of the capture was blocked by shrubbery so I didn't witness the event! FAB.
Walks near water are always wonderful. Great images!
ReplyDelete...what a great day. You and Anita must have enjoyed it! Love the Osprey photos...beautiful flight captures. I also liked the rusted links...an artsy photo that wants to tell a story I think!
ReplyDeleteHi Frank...the Osprey photos are great, to bad you miss the capture of it's meal!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you and Anita had a beautiful day at the coast..there is nothing like a walk on the beach!!
Great osprey shots, Frank. Aren't they great birds to watch?!
ReplyDeleteWow man, the osprey shots are fabulous! I'll give anything to see one, it is still not on my bird list ;-) We can make a deal, an osprey against, let me think, a great northern diver in breeding plumage ;-)
ReplyDeleteYea, I agree with Chris, the Osprey is out of this world.
ReplyDeleteNot every day you see an Osprey!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures Frank. A very enjoyable day out.
Wow. Great shots of the Osprey Frank, what a capture.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank, you and Anita had a beautiful outing and some great captures. We had a lot of red admirals at home before we left on our Maine road trip.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful outing that you had and oh those Osprey images are superb. Love that harbor scene as well~
ReplyDeleteNice catches of the Osprey! When I first glanced at the rusted links I thought it was some kind of big snake coming out of the sand. LOL. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteHi Lois. Yes, if only the coast was closer we would do it more often.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly. Yes, she did. A blustery day but no complaints about a ruined hairdo ... lol.
Hi Grammie. Photography verses bird watching...often presents a missed opportunity.
Hi Chris. Good offer. Might take you up on that one.
Hi Wilma. Thanks. Would have preferred more light under the wings, but hey these will do for now.
Cheers Bob.
Hi Keith. Totally unexpected and worth all the miles travelled.
Thanks very much Roy. Hoping for more detail next time, whenever that is.
Hi Beatrice. Yes, I guess the Red Admirals will start thinking about hibernation with the falling temperatures.
Hi Mary. Thanks, it was good to smell the salty air.
Hi Mona. If it had been a snake I don't think Anita would have stepped over it!!