Gannet on the water
I’m used to seeing Gannets flying at head height. Since their colonisation of Noup Head cliffs, their numbers have soared like a Gannet and the cliffs are alive with their calls.
One view I’ve never had up close is of a Gannet on the waves. They ride surprisingly high up. They’re very buoyant.
It’s a glorious view from the Orkney ferry to Westray. Current mood: buoyant.
More glorious Gannets
Bridled Guillemot Visiting Noup Head on Westray is always exhilarating. It's even more exhilarating the closer you get to the edge of… read more
Bempton birds – Gannets displaying When two Gannets fall in love, they like to let each other know about it: I like the final one.… read more
Bempton birds – when you know you’re being watched Many birds are perfect parcels of protein. There are plenty of predatory species which would treat them as a tasty… read more
Bempton birds – eyelids Blinking birds. Gannets are everywhere at Bempton Cliffs. I'm hoping to get a good look at their eyes. Gannets' eyes… read more
Bempton birds – the miracle of flight The power of flight still astonishes me. If only I could be up there with the birds at RSPB Bempton… read more
Bempton birds – staring at the sky Gannets look astonishingly alien, don't they? They're not inhabitants of this world. When they display to one another they point… read more
Bempton birds – nesting materials A Kittiwake flies past with some grass in its beak. It looks like its nest needs reinforcements: They sometimes carry… read more
Bempton birds – violence and aggression It's not all mutual preening and sweetness and light at Bempton Cliffs. It's a difficult life, perched on a ledge… read more
Bempton birds – Gannets, Gannets, everywhere Try going to Bempton and getting a photograph without a Gannet in it. Try it. Go on. Here's a Puffin… read more