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July 2018

Great Black-Backed Gull - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Great Black Backed Gull

Great Black Backed Gulls are gulls, yet on an epic scale. Seeing one coming towards you is quite a sight: That’s some …

Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Spotted by a Skua

Seeing an Arctic Skua is like witnessing a mythical bird come to life. If they didn’t exist they would have to have …

Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Sea Pies

Oystercatchers are known as Skeldro, Chaldro, or Shaalder in Orkney. If you think those names are difficult, internationally they are known as …

Wren - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Wren on the coast

The wild North Sea coast of Westray in Orkney is not for the feint hearted on a blustery day. There are Fulmars …

Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The crossing

It only takes an hour and a half to cross the Pentland Firth from Scrabster to Stromness on the Northlink ferry. Standing …

Canada Geese - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Duck, Duck, Goose

The Canada Goose is yet another of the species introduced to the UK by people. We have the cheek to refer to …

Reed Bunting - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Reed Bunting

Skills grow like children; imperceptibly. It’s over forty years since I saw my first Reed Bunting and went home to draw it …

Red Fox - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Red Fox

There’s an amazing Red Fox which spends its time in the gardens here in Virginia. I’m surprised to see one here, but …

Skink - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Skink in the garden

A lunchtime trip to the garden in Virginia and there’s a Skink on the path. It’s bathing in the hot sun and …

Northern Mockingbird - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Northern Mockingbird

Whenever I’ve heard a bird singing, here in Virginia, and I haven’t been able to recognise its song, it’s always been a …

Gray Catbird - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Catbird v Cowbird

There’s an ancient battle being played out in the woods and fields of Virginia. It’s Catbird v Cowbird and I have a …

Red Bellied Woodpecker - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I’ve been ever so slightly keen on seeing woodpeckers while I’ve been in Virginia. They are common here because there are many …

Female Blue Dasher dragonfly - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A dash of Blue Dasher

There are plenty of dragonflies over the creek at the bottom of the garden here in Virginia. This one is a Blue …

Northern Cardinal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The 100 year old ban

Red Cardinals were once prized as a pet, but their sale as captive birds in cages was banned in the United States …