Everything is Permuted

After yesterday's excitement out on the downs, it was to the altogether calmer environment of Rottingdean Beach today. The slightly overcast weather kept most of the visitors away (human and sea birds), but the scene at low tide is worth a visit in its own right.

Beach at low tide



I've never really explored the rock pools before, but there's certainly plenty to see. There's the seaweed, which is draped over everything...

Bladder wrack

And clinging to every rock there are colonies of limpets...

Limpet

I'd never really given limpets much thought before, but they are quite astounding creatures. They have a 'home' location on the rocks, which fits their shell perfectly. They don't remain rooted all the time but will return to their precise location, which they are also known to defend from intruders by nudging them away with their shell.

Overhead there were of course some gulls...

Gull with crab

And the fulmars were at home. I could hardly visit without taking a few shots of them.

Fulmar

There are a few more shots in the Rottingdean album. I'll have to go back at low tide with a macro lens and light (and net and bucket). There's plenty more to discover there.

Camera note: the views of the beach, the seaweed and limpet were all taken with the EF17-40mm f/4L USM. I used the on-board flash to assist the close-ups. The fulmars and gull were captured with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.