tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68565510991412966932012-02-18T00:44:32.972Zthinking with pictures alan mackenzie landscape and nature photographer hoveAlan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.comBlogger1161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-27210637990974298282012-02-07T15:48:00.014Z2012-02-08T02:09:53.315Z

Snow fell across England and Wales on Saturday 4th February 2012, prompting leading news commentators to foam at the mouth until they'd drooled all the water out of their bodies. Andrew Marr paused briefly during yet another sickeningly obvious attempt to bed the Queen once Prince Phillip croaks it, to declare a Nationwide Anxiety Attack. The public obediently rushed out and panic bought potatoes

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-48284273589660311552012-02-02T21:11:00.013Z2012-02-16T17:33:09.339Z

I recently visited Stanmer Down, in the South Downs National Park, over five afternoons, figuring out how to photograph a lone tree amidst the undulating hills and dry valleys belonging to this wonderful part of East Sussex. The first two visits were marred by inaccurate weather forecasts; the third, by arriving late. By the forth visit, I had worked out the prime location for obtaining the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-23063254781774712142012-01-15T20:00:00.013Z2012-02-02T21:12:55.611Z

I feel rejuvenated by the longer daylight hours of January and at the prospect of spending 2012 exploring new parts of Sussex. On my list of places to visit are the Willoughby Fields, near Crawley, the High and Low Weald, the Ashdown Forest, Amberley, Stanmer Down and the South Downs between Woodingdean, Peacehaven and Kingston near Lewes. Of interest are the range of escarpments between Clayton

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-32119458480854881272011-12-20T17:05:00.028Z2012-02-13T13:23:48.203Z

Seasons greetings and best wishes for 2012 to all visitors and followers of Thinking with Pictures. I posted my favourite Pictures of the Year 2011 earlier this month — but, I felt that there are many others deserving second exposure before the year is out. They are exciting, vibrant and remind me of the many happy hours I spent wandering the Sussex countryside over the spring and summer. I have

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-51210021109655497772011-12-15T12:39:00.000Z2011-12-15T12:39:38.757Z

Severe gales, rain and hail buffeted the East Sussex coast around Birling Gap on 14th December 2011. The incoming spray coated the front element of my lens with a film of salty seawater. I had to wipe my lens clean after taking each picture. The crisp, bracing maritime air filled my lungs and readied me for a session of Harveys Sussex Best Bitter next to a log fire in the Tiger Inn, East Dean.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-63182637753853536032011-12-13T00:46:00.008Z2012-01-31T15:59:07.043Z

I chose the following pictures, because they all possess a high degree of aesthetic value and were appreciated by visitors to this site, along with Flickr members, family, friends and colleagues. Some may represent personal milestones in technique, such as the picture of Fulking Escarpment - my first vertorama - two pictures joined using layer masks to cope with enormous dynamic range present in

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-70931857552719847672011-12-04T22:32:00.001Z2011-12-04T22:33:03.408Z

      

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-81360013882172862402011-11-24T19:47:00.013Z2011-12-25T17:43:21.664Z

Every afternoon, between November and February, up to 40,000 starlings congregate in a murmuration over Brighton Pier. It is one of the truly spectacular displays nature has to offer and it happens on our doorstep. The joy and bliss created by the murmurations far exceeds the empty hedonism of drugs, alcohol and shopping. My favourite picture is the third one down - it resembles a flying carpet

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-80518017370701716632011-11-20T21:20:00.020Z2011-12-25T17:44:17.558Z

Gulls and starlings par excellence at the end of another delightful and unseasonably mild November day. The gulls spent several minutes trying to figure out how to eat a starfish. Each gull picked up the starfish and carried it around before dropping it. Eventually, a tug of war between two gulls produced unintended consequences. The unfortunate starfish was torn apart, resulting in a shared meal

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-23619497653958807612011-11-08T15:11:00.009Z2011-11-28T00:31:47.658Z

Thus far unpublished photographs taken in 2011. Occasionally, I cannot find a place for certain pictures in online articles. I am delighted to show them to you.              

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-71887750475798941772011-11-04T14:25:00.003Z2012-02-18T00:44:32.982Z

I've wanted to do something special during autumn since visiting the New Forest as a boy. Only now do I possess the ability to tell a story about my relationship with the natural world. With the autumn colours at their peak, I retreated to the Saxon hamlet of West Dean in Friston Forest for a seven day holiday. I rose at 9am each morning, ate breakfast and wandered through the canopy of fiery

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-48453858743013201392011-10-16T01:06:00.005+01:002011-10-28T00:23:48.514+01:00

The Sussex Wildlife Trust have used one of my starling pictures on their Contact Us page. Maybe they're trying to tell me something. The trust has recently produced a new website, with a clearer layout and more attractive design featuring many pictures taken by local wildlife photographers. Since the image is cropped and used as a banner, it lacks the composition and impact of the original.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-35287797691392127392011-10-03T00:31:00.021+01:002011-11-14T01:02:04.961Z

It's that time of year again - the bittersweet season before winter - and from now until early November, I will be having a thoroughly good time roaming the woodlands of Sussex. On Sunday 2nd October 2011, I caught the train to Polegate and walked up to Abbots Wood. October sometimes throws up surprises - and it did this year - with temperatures of 25.5°C recorded today at nearby Herstmonceux.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-68233981538608570982011-09-28T02:00:00.013+01:002011-10-11T19:22:46.589+01:00

At the end of a warm, late September day, the tide dropped to 60 cm. By coincidence, a bank of thick sea fog rolled in from the English Channel, shrouding the beach in an eerie mist. The fog signal at Brighton Marina activated itself and filled the air with a high pitched electric pulse every ten seconds. Two girls were perplexed about the low tide. A tsunami is on its way, they said. Well, no, I

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-18610030975561504002011-09-09T22:23:00.009+01:002011-10-13T20:12:01.512+01:00

I spotted these baby Roe deer twins at the Willoughby Fields, just outside Crawley in West Sussex, England. The three and a half month old deer looked very new and pristine. Their nearby mother ushered them to 'safety' shortly after I took this picture. I hope this pair survive the winter and go on to flourish as adults. I look forward to photographing them in years to come! I believe Roe deer

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-54120213490404792702011-09-03T00:59:00.006+01:002011-12-30T20:51:40.871Z

I caught the train to Ifield on a beautifully warm (26ºC), clear September afternoon, hoping to catch sight of the many Roe deer living at the Willoughby Fields, Crawley. The does were extremely jumpy, because they had young to protect. They all fled at first sight. I look forward to next spring, when the does chase away this years kids. Unattached female roe deer can become very curious

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-81181436962463871202011-08-29T00:43:00.025+01:002011-11-16T11:42:04.722Z

I can think of nothing better than to unwind than on Brighton beach.  This is a series of pictures taken over the course of three Sundays, in a variety of weather conditions and tidal levels. On Sunday 4th September 2011, a large wave alighted on Alan Mackenzie and his Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, resulting in an early bath and a mouthful of seawater. Thank goodness for weather sealing and a strong

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-81236204952922914272011-08-17T13:17:00.007+01:002011-09-10T22:10:43.087+01:00

Unpublished photographs taken in 2011, including 'Pigeon Pair on Brighton Pier', which was short-listed in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2011.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-88911709248303841262011-07-31T08:43:00.015+01:002011-09-10T21:49:53.694+01:00

Sunflowers on Mile Oak Farm in West Sussex. The farmer planted the sunflowers on a small strip of land at the edge of one of his fields to attract wildlife and allow pollinating insects to thrive.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-45373466726264776412011-07-23T00:50:00.007+01:002011-09-01T00:54:08.097+01:00

I stood for a couple of hours waiting for optimal lighting conditions. Various aggressive beta-male paragliders sat nearby, posturing, while remarking about why I didn't just take a picture and go. The weather conditions were not ideal for paragliding and in the absence of any civilising influence from women, they started to misbehave and be silly. Eventually, they went home to download

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-5340989737057098272011-07-20T02:02:00.015+01:002012-02-13T13:57:44.593Z

An evening on Brighton seafront was all it took for me to overcome my forth episode of 'photographer's block' this summer. A friend had suggested a change of scenery, so after buying a penn'orth of chips, I made my way into Brighton. The knowledge of having been shortlisted in a major photographic competition hasn't been good for my emotional well-being. I feel comfortable taking pictures simply

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-38264034973520613812011-07-04T01:53:00.012+01:002011-09-10T21:56:01.845+01:00

I will be visiting a number of locations across the county over the summer in search of butterflies to study. Last year saw fewer butterflies than usual, owing to the cold winter. Will the exceptionally cold month of December 2010 mean the same in 2011? I hope not. Please bookmark this page and join me, as I travel around Sussex on an exciting journey alongside these beautiful creatures. -----

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-1666568358262033382011-06-24T21:19:00.002+01:002011-09-10T22:00:08.715+01:00

Three weeks of unsettled, showery weather has restored the South Downs from a tinder-dry, parched brown, more reminiscent of an August drought to a lush, verdant landscape. Heavy downpours bring spells of sunshine and vistas of dramatic cumulonimbus cloud formations - a landscape photographer's utopia. This is an ideal time in which to begin photographing the landscape behind Falmer - Stanmer

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-74806556613335044622011-06-19T23:20:00.031+01:002011-10-13T19:45:59.938+01:00

Tuesday 31st May 2011 marked the beginning of my Sussex Deer Project for 2011. Over the summer and autumn, I will be visiting a number of locations across the county in search of Roe and Fallow deer. Some visits will involve an overnight stay in a tent. This is necessary to ensure that I am awake at dawn, as deer tend to be active at this time. Of course, they are active all night, but we usually

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-80158239920827008732011-06-11T03:16:00.009+01:002011-08-17T23:47:38.821+01:00

On Thursday 9th June 2011, photography student and friend, Frances Davoudi invited me to a private viewing in London, hosted by The Print Space of Hackney. Second year photography students from the University of Brighton will be displaying their work here until 17th June. Frances' picture took the concept of voyeurism and the male gaze and reversed it. She asked a male friend to pose in a scene

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-15210651218249175102011-06-08T03:58:00.004+01:002011-11-08T15:12:44.901Z

Tuesday 7th June 2011: To my relief, after months of blandness, unsettled weather finally arrived on the south coast of England, producing brilliant light and shadows across the landscape. Blue skies, blustery winds, cumulus clouds and sunshine are ideal for landscape photography. I saw my first ever hare and a Roe deer buck appeared later in the evening. The days in June seem to go on forever -

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-35805306787680956552011-06-05T15:05:00.004+01:002011-10-21T17:22:36.569+01:00

Our beautiful, underrated county in pictures.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-66526181911242199522011-05-21T01:26:00.018+01:002011-11-13T13:03:27.509Z

I recently spent four nights at a holiday cottage situated in the hamlet of West Dean, East Sussex. The Old Manor House Pig Barn is part of The Dovecote Garden, run by Julian Martyr, a man who knows how to do things properly. Beautifully presented and finished to a high standard, the cottage was ideally located in Friston Forest, one of my favourite places for taking photographs and exploring

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-73301154935494252362011-04-09T11:32:00.043+01:002011-12-20T21:50:45.102Z

I could have been forgiven for believing it was summer on Friday 8th April 2011, as I strolled through Friston Forest towards a secluded pumping station, operated by South East Water, which owns the forest. The Eastbourne Water Company planted Friston Forest during the 1920s, to improve the rainfall catchment area. The Forestry Commission holds the lease and they work in partnership with the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-62431645017814110972011-03-26T00:21:00.007Z2011-04-05T16:42:09.647+01:00

I spent my two evenings off work at Birling Gap, a coastal dry valley near the Seven Sisters in East Sussex. On Thursday 24th March 2011, a glorious sunset and warm temperatures embraced the few people still here. Afterwards, I walked up to the village of East Dean and enjoyed a wonderful pint of Harveys Sussex Best Bitter and a bowl of chips under the stars, outside the Tiger Inn. The following

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-87756335394314678832011-03-22T00:03:00.023Z2012-01-12T00:03:07.862Z

On Monday 21st March 2011, low water was 20cm, marking the spring tide, in which the combined gravitational pull of our sun and moon result in an especially low tide. Hundreds of people gathered to participate in this wonderful natural event.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-77102959944167576762011-03-18T17:17:00.008Z2011-12-16T13:13:43.803Z

The best photographs from Thinking With Pictures. Roe deer (2011). Fallow Deer (2003). Group of Fallow Deer (2003). Grey Squirrel (2001). Rabbit (2002). Starlings (2011). Starlings (2011). Seagulls on Brighton beach (2011). Common Blue butterfly and Six-Spot Burnet moth (2010). Sheep on Beachy Head (2011). Snow on bench (2009). Hove Beach Huts in snow (2010).

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-77267536490954854522011-03-07T03:17:00.016Z2011-03-29T03:09:18.251+01:00

After a long winter interval, I was extremely pleased to mark my return to Beachy Head on Sunday 6th March 2011. Barely out of winter, temperatures reached only 7°C and it felt colder than that, owing to the moderate to strong east-north-east wind. I felt especially cold and uncomfortable on the shore at Beachy Head, timing five minute exposures in near-dark conditions. I spent most of my time

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-80418331703580569792011-02-21T01:50:00.004Z2011-02-21T02:45:53.781Z

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-31791732362864283442011-02-17T23:08:00.007Z2011-02-20T00:45:34.762Z

Thursday 17th February 2011 was very mild and spring-like. For the first time this year, I felt over-dressed in Merino wool thermals, which, given temperatures of 12°C, was understandable. The days are getting longer and once again, after-work excursions into the countryside are possible. I weighed up the relative merits of Friston Forest and Brighton Pier, but I fancied a walk along the South

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-60322308372249169972011-02-08T22:03:00.010Z2011-12-25T17:50:25.592Z

Friday 21st January 2011: On a cold January afternoon, I took advantage of the lengthening daylight and strolled down to Brighton Pier. The vandalised telephone box presented a great photographic opportunity, although I caught a strong whiff of ammonia upon entering the dilapidated thing. I had just finished work. Time for a spot of birdwatching! It is worth visiting Brighton just to enjoy the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-75006132857073194122011-01-27T02:27:00.022Z2011-02-21T01:36:18.621Z

After finishing an evening shift in the community, I remained in Brighton city centre for a spot of hand-held, high ISO night photography in the cold and rain.   For night-time photography, the best weather conditions by far is heavy snow. I had to contend with second best this evening: wet roads and pavements. My Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II sensor performs well in  low light. I can take photographs

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-5052297104773050252011-01-14T01:26:00.039Z2011-02-05T01:30:02.625Z

Sunday 9th January 2011: I was recently contacted by Frances Davoudi, who is studying photography at the University of Brighton. Frances informed me of her thus far unsuccessful attempts at finding a wildlife photographer who was prepared to allocate time to help her gain experience in this difficult, solitary and time-consuming field. I have to say, that I was delighted to be provided with such

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-85817776985934077962011-01-02T19:15:00.005Z2011-01-04T16:19:36.332Z

From a slightly chilly Brighton beach, happy new year to all visitors!

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-83014117670740919272010-12-06T23:09:00.022Z2011-01-15T22:00:59.492Z

Let the pictures speak for themselves.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-27599464277839727492010-12-02T13:42:00.003Z2010-12-02T23:31:53.053Z

Brighton and Hove City Council used my photograph of a snow-covered bench on Hove Promenade for the front page of their website on 1st December 2010. I felt very proud to have my picture visible on a site visited by ten thousand people each day. Taken in the bitter cold, early on 2nd February 2009, the picture attracted the attention of Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove, who requested

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-37801011783919134052010-12-02T02:04:00.043Z2011-11-13T17:08:22.928Z

The temperature on December 1st 2010 never rose above -0.3ºC and heavy snow fell across Sussex. I started taking photographs two hours before work, in the afternoon and resumed photography after an early finish due to severe weather conditions. Continuous light snow fell until 19:45, when the powdery snow turned very heavy, dumping 15 - 25cm in  just a few hours. I caught the number 6 bus into

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-33899593844985522592010-11-23T23:05:00.009Z2011-04-22T09:43:59.697+01:00

Wednesday 22nd September 2010 heralded an unexpected five hours annual leave from work, so I decided to bus off to Eastbourne and walk up to Cow Gap. How lovely it was to see the lighthouse beacon again, following the decision of Trinity House to keep it shining. ----- Tuesday 19th October 2010: after finishing work, I boarded an extremely slow number 12A bus to Eastbourne, tolerating a

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-37811667669814530142010-11-07T19:58:00.008Z2010-11-15T01:54:21.642Z

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-54087248579973175182010-10-08T23:37:00.076+01:002011-03-02T00:08:39.334Z

Friday 8th October 2010 was just like early summer in many ways: the maximum temperature was an unseasonal 20°C and it didn't feel cold in the evening, as it normally does in October, even following a mild daytime. Suddenly, at 17:30 an eerie mist rolled in from the coast, replacing the clear, blue sky, with a thin shroud of grey. The beech trees in Friston Forest are just beginning to turn

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-15817248146085468202010-09-24T21:44:00.027+01:002011-01-15T22:01:40.089Z

Friday 24th September 2010: A slight drizzle and cool north-westerly wind set in this afternoon. The poor light justified a signal boost to ISO 640; enough to hand-hold my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens. I sat at the edge of a woodland, in East Sussex, for thirty minutes, waiting for the approach of two Roe deer. The north-westerly wind carried my scent away from the deer, while I

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-88158252227699889132010-09-20T00:32:00.003+01:002010-09-20T02:37:21.426+01:00

I discovered this lovely little female Chaffinch along a woodland path in Friston Forest. Unfortunately, I quickly realised that the reason why I could get so close to the bird, was because she was very ill. I sat down and took some pictures. The bird kept trying to curl up and go to sleep. She even tried to fly off, twice, but it barely had the strength to lift off the ground. When I'd

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-21903387510121260632010-09-18T01:57:00.008+01:002010-10-17T12:29:14.582+01:00

Thursday 19th August 2010. The first thing I would say in reflection about Charleston Bottom is, "What took me so long?" I have been regularly visiting Friston Forest for the last two years, but only in the last two months, have I discovered that Charleston Bottom hosts a wealth of fauna, from badgers and foxes to sheep and cattle. Charleston Bottom is my new favourite part of the world.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-71875891327198760612010-09-06T01:01:00.008+01:002010-09-12T23:28:17.566+01:00

Here is proof that the light in Sussex can match that of the Scottish Highlands and Welsh mountains. I took the first six pictures within the South Downs National Park, at a location called Stanmer Down, a few miles north of Brighton. The final two pictures feature scenery viewable from Seaford Head. With the exception of minor tweaking in Adobe Photoshop CS2, such as noise reduction, contrast

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-4324142161666843822010-09-03T22:53:00.014+01:002011-06-29T09:54:58.132+01:00

This photograph was eight years in the making. The first time I saw a Roe Deer, locally, was in July 2002. I kicked myself, for not having my camera with me. This evening, I saw three Roe Deer; a male (buck) and female (doe) in a field, located on the South Downs, and another female grazing in a nearby harvested wheat field. I learned a good deal about Roe Deer behaviour this evening. When the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-25267977257999767192010-08-30T00:18:00.027+01:002010-09-08T16:04:57.195+01:00

This August, I decided to go on holiday to Sussex, which is a beautiful county in south-east England. I visited the West Sussex town of Arundel twice, enjoying a double serving of photography, chips and locally brewed ale, all in that particular order. I took all of the following Arundel and Burpham pictures on Monday 18th August 2010. The second batch of pictures weren't as impressive as the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-2070106175240292922010-08-15T12:38:00.008+01:002010-09-13T02:06:13.184+01:00

Today's post is going to be undisciplined; a fitting tribute to the mood I am in. As the title suggests, I took these pictures in roughly three different locations. Regular visitors to this site will already be familiar with Brighton and the Cuckmere Valley, so they require no further explanation. Stanmer Down, north of Falmer is going to be the focus of my attention over the next few months or

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-86160298418809188762010-08-06T00:22:00.007+01:002010-08-06T01:49:07.867+01:00

The evening light on Thursday 5th August 2010 didn't look very promising. Except for a handful of brief moments, the sun remained hidden behind blankets of cumulus and strato-cumulus cloud formations. Fortunately, I had the patience and foresight to anticipate where and when the reluctant light was going to make an appearance. Newhaven Harbour and Lighthouse. Shoreham Power Station, over 17

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-13769643420306234822010-07-24T01:33:00.059+01:002010-08-21T01:15:29.722+01:00

Friday 23rd July was a beautiful, still and hot evening. I walked along the narrow woodland paths through Friston Forest with my camera; the signal increased to ISO 800 and noise reduction switched on to cope with the fading light. As I left the tiny village of West Dean, a Vixen scurried across the path in-front of me. I just managed to get her into focus, when she disappeared into the cover of

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-32685597196309548952010-07-23T01:18:00.010+01:002011-07-09T00:17:06.636+01:00

The Chattri is a First World War memorial on the South Downs, one mile north of Brighton. The Chattri, meaning umbrella in Hindi, was donated to the people of Brighton in gratitude for allowing injured Sikh, Hindu and Muslim soldiers to convalesce at the Royal Pavilion.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-74783849132123830742010-07-22T05:14:00.019+01:002010-08-12T10:03:13.124+01:00

The time has finally come to stop using 35mm film. Fuji Velvia has given me 10 years of excellent service. For various reasons, I have decided to capture all of my photographs using digital cameras. It costs £120 to buy and process 10 rolls of slide film. In today's money, exposing 30 rolls of film per year for the next five years will cost £1600. It seems rather silly buying film only to

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-27679616362916655342010-07-06T00:40:00.006+01:002010-07-06T23:31:03.740+01:00

The heady, warm evening of Monday 5th July 2010 produced a truly exceptional sunset. I had my Samsung compact digital camera available for unplanned photographic opportunities, such as this one. I checked the histogram on my camera LCD and found that by underexposing the pictures by -0.7 stops, the levels had the requisite spikes to create the deep greys and blacks I wanted.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-9253789912443982892010-06-22T02:03:00.012+01:002010-06-23T04:21:06.532+01:00

On Monday 21st June, 2010, instead of going for my usual long walk around Friston Forest, I took a light stroll up to the small, tranquil village of West Dean tucked away in the southern part of the forest. Set in a quiet valley and without a single pub or shop, West Dean is the most peaceful small village in East Sussex. The following pictures are an expression of my deep, joyous relaxation,

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-10526193122492482362010-06-20T17:25:00.003+01:002010-06-20T22:10:16.422+01:00

I took these photographs using my Samsung WB500 compact digital camera, as the cyclists rode down Richmond Terrace, Brighton towards the finishing line. I am sorry that the photographs do not represent the true proportion of female participants. This was the first time I had photographed a cycling event and it just so happened that the pictures of male riders turned out better. Anyway, I hope you

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-59968745050348537072010-06-14T00:30:00.002+01:002010-06-16T14:16:02.312+01:00

One spring and early summer spent exploring the familiar and unfamiliar regions of Friston Forest in East Sussex.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-55969068298836498692010-06-13T23:52:00.014+01:002010-06-17T11:40:54.959+01:00

The following set of photographs are among the most ignored in my collection. They've been included because people treat them with utter indifference. I will continue to gain satisfaction from producing photographs, which will never sell, evoke sentimental responses, make people :o) or LOL. The fact that people treat a photograph with utter indifference does not exclude the possibility that it

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-43514848538785933712010-06-03T03:07:00.022+01:002010-06-25T14:01:08.360+01:00

I recently purchased the Samsung WB500 compact digital camera to satisfy my need to keep a conveniently sized imaging capture device on my person at all times. My Canon EOS 1V and standard zoom is not suitable for all situations. When I am attending social gatherings or simply out and about the streets of Brighton and Hove, the Samsung is perfect. Members of the public find my Canon EOS 1V SLR

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-21960671853196592572010-05-26T21:22:00.009+01:002010-05-28T21:07:24.262+01:00

The residents of Cranleigh Avenue, Saltdean, England call him Nigel. He's tame enough to accept food out of a person's hand. Tame enough to accept the presence of a photographer, equipped with a Canon EOS 1V and 28 - 70mm F2.8 L series lens. Nigel took short breaks on the mown grass in front of houses, before getting up and walking to the next patch, spraying his pungent urine on brick walls.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-76221070146728205102010-05-23T01:46:00.008+01:002010-06-05T22:50:29.888+01:00

After purchasing a 'Pro' Flickr account, I made the decision to embed a 'high definition' video on this website. I say 'high definition', because Flickr has compressed and processed the 1280 x 720p file I uploaded, so it is more like standard definition. I hope Flickr improves its video in the future. Facebook does a much better job  than Flickr at encoding video at a higher bitrate.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-90478978248921648102010-03-19T01:36:00.004Z2010-04-18T22:15:48.617+01:00

Trinity House owns and maintains Beachy Head Lighthouse, just off the East Sussex coast. The organisation is considering switching off the beacon and foghorn, because they argue that modern ship navigation renders lighthouses less useful. However, modern digital technology is not always reliable or accurate and Trinity House would be wise to retain the robust analogue technology that is Beachy

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-4936866840291860412010-02-04T20:24:00.006Z2010-02-18T20:34:25.629Z

I have East Sussex County Council to thank for promptly clearing the road to Seaford and Eastbourne of snow. I should also thank the staff of the Brighton and Hove Bus Company for running services in treacherous conditions throughout the freeze. As snow fell across much of the British Isles during late December 2009, temperatures dropped to -23°c in parts of Scotland and -6°c at Shoreham Airport

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-50699737079104467812010-02-04T20:08:00.008Z2010-03-19T23:19:38.429Z

For my birthday, I treated myself to an afternoon out at Falling Sands, near Beachy Head in East Sussex. Walking around the beach, viewing the cliffs and admiring the vistas, I could not resist picturing the video for Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence. Lovely to be away from work and to relax. I only spent an hour at Falling Sands, before repairing to Eastbourne, where I purchased some DVDs

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-60603050837493298182009-12-08T20:18:00.013Z2010-01-01T15:16:19.843Z

I recently cleaned out my Lowepro Mini Trekker bag, ready for its first bath, when I found some old rolls of Velvia, the original version, buried prematurely by Fuji owing to a scarcity of raw materials. The fact that I posted one to Fuji was a pure fluke. I had written out a cheque and printed my order, when I realised that I had paid for the development of eight films, when I only had seven.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-86893234360428759332009-12-08T14:47:00.022Z2010-04-04T01:45:45.225+01:00

I spent three evenings at Beachy Head in order to create this gallery. Mid-October is a good time to photograph this location, because the sun sets directly behind the lighthouse. October also throws up some wonderfully variable weather and contrasts in light, as illustrated here. Five minutes later, the back-lighting changed, creating this opportunity. Falling sands is a small beach,

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-69311085744163195612009-08-25T00:45:00.010+01:002009-12-25T21:49:46.200Z

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 28 - 70 mm F 2.8 L USM, Canon EF 100 - 400 mm L IS USM, Fuji Velvia 50. Location: The Chattri, East Sussex, England.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-86630919028245863432009-08-07T17:15:00.003+01:002009-09-10T00:00:46.385+01:00

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 17 - 40 mm F4 L USM, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3, Fuji Velvia 50. Location: Brighton Beach, East Sussex, England.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-86192931943787394872009-08-05T22:13:00.004+01:002009-09-10T00:01:10.657+01:00

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 100 - 400 IS L USM, Canon EF 28 - 70 F4 L USM, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3, Fuji Velvia 50. Locations: Roedean and Cow Gap, East Sussex, England.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-80893934098677771622009-08-05T22:05:00.006+01:002009-09-10T00:01:29.458+01:00

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 28 - 70 mm F2.8 L USM, Canon EF 100 - 400 IS L USM, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3, Fuji Velvia 50. Location: The Seven Sisters, East Sussex, England.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-7839213866768700182009-05-19T14:23:00.011+01:002009-12-25T21:50:08.750Z

The Chattri, meaning Umbrella in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu is a memorial on the South Downs, dedicated to Sikh and Hindu soldiers who died fighting for Britain during the First World War. See Ordinance Survey Map for the location of this memorial - marked "War Meml" grid square 30/11. Print the map and follow it. It is near the small farming hamlet of Standean, just north of Brighton. Catch the

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-3557045987840199072009-05-19T02:13:00.015+01:002010-11-05T12:41:14.930Z

Featuring the Seven Sisters, Friston Forest, Alfriston, Lullington Church and St. Andrews Church, Jevington. Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 17 - 40 mm f/4.0 L USM, Canon EF 28 - 70 mm f/2.8 L USM, Canon EF 100 - 400 mm IS L USM, Sigma 150 mm f/2.8 EX Macro, B+W Circular Polariser, Canon 550 EX Speedlite, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Canon Remote Switch RS

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-3377444272784200722009-05-09T23:43:00.032+01:002010-03-17T16:17:23.468Z

Snowy lives at a residential care home for older people in Brighton, United Kingdom. Born in April 2002, Snowy lived in a nearby flat, sharing facilities with other cats and humans. The other cats imposed restrictive practices on Snowy, so he progressively ingratiated himself with staff in the car park outside the building. Five years and one risk assessment later, Snowy began the next chapter

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-28539565517237694172009-04-26T19:32:00.007+01:002009-08-24T00:46:34.791+01:00

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 28 - 70 mm F2.8 L USM, Canon 550 EX Speedlite, Fuji Velvia 100. Location: Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-46764502667661609222009-04-26T18:29:00.017+01:002009-09-10T00:15:01.824+01:00

Technical details: Canon EOS 1V HS, Canon EF 28 - 70 mm F2.8 L USM, Sigma 150 mm F2.8 EX Macro, Canon 550 EX Speedlite, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3, Fuji Velvia 50 II. Location: Friars Bay, Peacehaven, East Sussex, England.peacehaven ammonites ammonites sussex coast beach

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-8705692214562498472009-04-22T13:55:00.005+01:002009-04-26T18:50:34.722+01:00

English Channel.Sunrise.Sunset.Layered clouds.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-12673509228259499662009-04-08T02:23:00.016+01:002009-06-07T14:42:27.447+01:00

Local residents and their spontaneous activity on Brighton beach in late March. Low temperatures and a noticeable wind chill failed to deter people from wearing shorts. Many English people strip off and cook processed meats over fires at the slightest indication of clement weather, however superficial and misleading that indication may be. The general enthusiasm for upward mobility in English

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-83366927640039106272009-03-27T23:26:00.025Z2010-03-16T15:37:35.416Z

I returned to Beachy Head the difficult way from Birling Gap at low tide. The one-and-a-half-hour-long, two mile walk preceded a tortuous half-hour rendezvous with the remains of the Devil's Chimney, a chalk stack that suddenly disintegrated in April 2001. Carrying ten kilograms of gear, I carefully scaled the huge boulders impeding my passage to the lighthouse. There won't be a repeat of this

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-37309113879040984632009-02-05T19:26:00.049Z2011-04-06T13:28:57.556+01:00

Between Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd February 2009, heavy snow fell across the United Kingdom, causing massive disruption to airports, businesses, schools and transport. The mild temperate climate of the UK means that heavy snow is an unusual occurrence in regions with a low elevation. It is therefore more cost-effective for infrastructure to close for a couple of days, than invest money in

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-78419221424505116672008-11-25T15:53:00.005Z2009-05-04T00:41:27.724+01:00

No other European bird creates such immense flocks, as the Starling. Their flocks resemble clouds of smoke when seen from a distance.The West Pier is little, but a skeleton of rusting iron these days, after two separate fires obliterated its crumbling facade. It looks good, however, especially at sunset.Starlings are masterful at control and skillful coordination. See google maps for location of

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-4362232806618981452008-09-26T20:16:00.266+01:002009-08-24T00:53:36.082+01:00

View of the channel from the cliff edge, at Beachy Head. Slivers of sunlight reflected by the channel waters, with a boat sailing by. At this height, the horizon is over 25 miles distant.Conventional late evening view of Beachy Head lighthouse, built as a replacement for the Belle Tout lighthouse. Beachy Head rises 162 metres above sea level, making it the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain.I

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-65845583357995834472008-09-11T16:38:00.026+01:002009-12-25T21:50:40.728Z

The Chattri, meaning "umbrella" in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, is a First World War memorial on the South Downs, in south east England. The Chattri is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died during this war. See Ordinance Survey Map for the location of this memorial - marked "War Meml" grid square 30/11. Print the map and follow it. It is near the small farming hamlet of Standean, just north of

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-80919530765994759072008-08-25T00:23:00.004+01:002008-08-25T00:52:02.644+01:00

Sheep on the edge of a disused chalk pit, at Malling Hill, near Lewes. See google maps for location. The land at Malling Hill is mixed use. Sheep graze here, but the land is open to the public, and is classified as a nature reserve.The sheep's companion.The good companions.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a booster pack, Canon 100 - 400 mm L IS, Fuji Velvia 50 II, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-3318454308426248562008-08-23T01:54:00.032+01:002008-11-30T01:15:22.422Z

Immature Yellow-Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) in summer, after its first winter, on Brighton beach.The same individual in a different posture.Young adult Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), on Brighton beach. Herring Gulls typically live for 10 - 20 years. They are dedicated, monogamous parents. But not all Herring Gulls survive into adulthood. This poor chick died when torrential rain from a

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-88717593934214556022008-08-22T23:46:00.007+01:002009-03-30T19:16:46.529+01:00

The TransManche Ferry entering Newhaven harbour, seen from Friars Bay. The distance between the ferry and the camera is one mile.Friars Bay, minus the TransManche Ferry and plus extra sunlight. Wave action undermines the cliff base, causing slab failures (see boulders littering the beach). These will eventually result in the singular catastrophic failure of the middle and upper cliff section

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-83522817646165328792008-06-09T00:47:00.043+01:002010-03-03T12:51:40.417Z

These giant Cretaceous ammonites are located on the south coast of England, near a small town called Peacehaven, in East Sussex. See google maps for location. The ammonites, embedded in chalk, are known as Parapuzosia seppenradensis, and their size is approximately 50 to 100 cm in diameter, making them among the largest in the world. Ammonites are a reliable indicator of the age of chalk layers.

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-25526859073996058462008-06-08T16:16:00.019+01:002009-01-07T23:47:16.419Z

Seaford Head, part of the South Downs cliff formation. See google maps for location.Seaford Head, and tracks. Note the layers in the chalk cliff face. Stand in awe at the fact that these layers formed between 83.5 to 78 million years ago from the deposition of calcium carbonate from trillions of dead algae and plankton. Seaford Head, and walker.Walkers can access Hope Gap (above) at low tide via

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-65397667722782826022008-06-08T13:01:00.003+01:002008-06-08T22:53:39.880+01:00

Mute Swans at Widewater Lagoon, Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex. See google maps for location.Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), taken using my lens set at 17 mm. The bird was so tame, I managed to get closer than 30 cm.Mute Swan feeding.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a booster pack, Fuji Velvia 50 II, Canon 17 - 40 mm L, Canon 100 - 400 mm L. Location: Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex, United Kingdom.If you

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-63869182871423986882008-06-07T23:17:00.003+01:002008-06-07T23:39:26.540+01:00

Spring flowers and plants on the South Downs.Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).Cowslips (Primula veris).Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). The white band in the background is a chalk path.Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) clock.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a booster pack, Fuji Velvia 50 II, Sigma 150 mm Macro, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod. Location: Fulking Escarpment, West

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-15693628151925516872008-04-20T21:59:00.005+01:002008-11-06T19:48:05.839Z

European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris) flock around their roost, the West Pier, Brighton, before and after dusk.The trace of starlings caught on film, one cold March evening.A band of starlings flows across the blueberry twilight sky.Read more about the European Starling here.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a booster pack, Fuji Velvia 50 II, Canon 100 - 400 mm L IS USM, Manfrotto 055

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-73994244097613420142008-04-20T16:34:00.014+01:002009-04-29T19:18:18.008+01:00

Snowy weather affected England on Sunday 6th April 2008. This was not particularly unusual. Climate statistics demonstrate that snow is more likely to fall in England during April than December. On 3rd April, temperatures reached 18°C. Today, it is 18°C again.A snowman and snow rabbit on Hove beach. The person who built this snowman is clearly into conspicuous consumption.A snowman and snow dog,

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-19472826259780514252008-04-20T15:25:00.018+01:002009-04-08T22:25:05.792+01:00

Friars Bay, Peacehaven, March 2008. See google maps for the location of Friars Bay.Heavily pockmarked chalk boulder on the Old Nore Bed intertidal zone. The limpets attached to the boulder secrete an acid to aid adhesion, causing deterioration of the boulder structure and the formation of craters. This process happens on a wider scale across the intertidal zone, reducing its overall height, and

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-12251970649196046142008-03-23T02:11:00.047Z2008-11-10T09:43:22.968Z

The Storm of March 2008.Waves, at high tide pushed this steel bench more than five metres back on Hove Promenade. The waves also deposited a large amount of shingle, wood, and assorted gubbins. Winds, reaching 80 mph hit the United Kingdom on 10th and 11th March 2008, uprooting trees and damaging housing. Gusts reached 65 mph on the Sussex coast. I took all pictures here at low tide, because it

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-5879406850338163472008-02-06T16:14:00.004Z2008-11-10T11:23:37.337Z

I had two rolls of Fuji Velvia left, and an hour to spare...what better way to burn sixty minutes than visit Hove beach.Transition of weather, as the tail-end of a cold front passes over the English Channel. Note the contrasting lighting conditions between the east and west.Two people watch Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) flock over discarded takeaway food on Hove beach.Three Herring Gulls (

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-78431288241581856992007-12-30T15:44:00.061Z2008-04-13T01:59:13.777+01:00

A British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus) sitting in a bush, in Preston Park, Brighton. See google maps for the location of Preston Park.Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) eating nuts in the Preston Manor gardens, Preston Park, Brighton.European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Withdean Park, Brighton. See google maps for the location of Withdean Park.European rabbit (Oryctolagus

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-60435698485948891262007-12-11T16:57:00.000Z2008-02-07T02:27:46.614Z

Sunrise over Brighton.A dramatic view, looking west from Stanmer Park, Brighton.All images are copyright of Alan Mackenzie. The images in this article are low resolution samples. High resolution 16-bit originals in TIFF format are available upon purchase.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a booster pack, Fuji Velvia 50, Sigma 28 - 70 mm EX. Locations: Stanmer Park, Brighton, East Sussex, United

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856551099141296693.post-59611711132796913922007-12-11T16:47:00.005Z2009-03-30T19:59:09.312+01:00

Coriolus Versicolor is an inedible fungi, which grows all year round. I found this growing on a rotting Beech tree, which fell during the Great Storm of October, 1987.Coriolus Versicolor.All images are copyright of Alan Mackenzie. The images in this article are low resolution samples. High resolution 16-bit originals in TIFF format are available upon purchase.Technical details: Canon EOS 3 with a

Alan Mackenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16667377534438807166noreply@blogger.com0