After yesterday's gales the sea was a tad choppy along the Roker seafront at Sunderland today.....
.... but with reassuring British fortitude this couple were taking afternoon tea on the promenade as the waves smacked into the sea wall...
.... meanwhile, in the sheltered mouth of the River Wear this eider duck was fishing for crabs .....
..... spending quite a while manoeuvring this one into the right position in its beak so that it could swallow it in one gulp. I wonder what it feels like to swallow a live (and very angry) crab?
Meanwhile, the rough seas and rising tide had driven the turnstones up onto the promenade .......
.... where the starlings were taking a bath in the puddles left by yesterday's torrential rain.
18 comments:
You had it rather badly up there didn't you? The picture of the Eider Duck with the crab is interesting, it looks as if the crab is clinging to the top beak, did it manage to eat the crab? The Starlings love a good puddle. I do like the stoicism of the couple on the sea-front!
This post is a photographic feast.
The starlings steal the show but it is a close run thing.
It was a bit rough yesterday toffeeapple - rain like a tropical storm! I think the eider was tossing the crab up in the air and catching it again - to get it at the right angle to swallow - it kept shaking it in the water too. It caught and ate three while we watched. Heaven knows how they find them in that murky water!
I'm going to have another go at photographing the starlings bathing in puddles Adrian - dog walkers kept disturbing them today...
Terrific shot of the breaking sea, Phil. Who needs Hawaii when you've got Sunderland?
I picture Detective Steve McGarrett entering, stage left,"Book 'em, Danno."
What an amazing photo of the wave! I imagine live crabs taste salty and crunchy - a water fowl's crisp.
What a stunning collection of photos!
I'm sure it must feel like eating a fistful of chillies, which some people enjoy doing.I enjoyed looking at your photos.
That first shot is quite dramatic. But I love the series of the starlings the best. The second shot of the starlings looks like they have shaken off their lovely spots into the air - beautiful!
Only the British could take afternoon tea on the prom amidst all that rough weather. lol
Great shot of the bathing Starlings.
Some superb images Phil, but that first one of the breaking wave with the lighthouse is a prize-winner if ever there was one - drama, composition, clarity - Fabulous!! Should be on next year's calendar for December!
Hi Rob, There were actually some surfers in the sea but I didn't see any that were skilful (or foolhardy) enough to stand up on their boards...
Hi Valerianna, I wonder how far the crabs travel down the duck's digestive system before they finally expire....?
Thanks Mark,the day after a storm often seems to be a good time to head for the coast...
Thanks lotusleaf..
Hi Wilma, starlings are birds with a lot of character aren't they?
Hi Keith, it was still pretty windy so they must have had waves on top of their tea..
Thanks Richard, the sun broke through at just the right moment...
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