Pipit, pipit
Meadow Pipits have a rather serious, stoic look. There are hundreds of families of Meadow Pipits on Westray, and, as I stood …
the natural history of Westray
Meadow Pipits have a rather serious, stoic look. There are hundreds of families of Meadow Pipits on Westray, and, as I stood …
Strange things happen in the natural world. Here’s a photograph from a sequence that I’m still mentally processing. From left to right: …
Watching Arctic Terns pull Lumpsuckers out of the water is a thrill. I love the spray of water around this one and …
I love the way that Hen Harriers can turn so quickly. The combination of strong wings and a long tail mean they …
I’ve not seen a Whooper Swan before so it’s a thrill to spot a couple on the Loch of Swartmill. They’re handsome …
My favourite sight is a Hen Harrier harrying.
Something I enjoyed this summer was taking multiple exposures of some of the bird species on Westray and creating composite images from …
What’s actually happening isn’t what appears to be happening. It’s laughing at the other one’s fish flapping in the wind, isn’t it? …
When the sun shines in Orkney, it’s best to make good use of it. This Swallow agreed.
I’ve been enjoying reviewing some of my images from Orkney Mainland taken this summer and this one, from a sequence I took …
I love to see Dunlin on the tideline: And seeing them fly past so close is a joy: This time I’m watching …
Every time I see a Merlin it’s a fleeting glance. It’s either only resting for a second before heading off to hunt …
I’m driving along the car-bottom-scraping track to Noup Head. It’s first gear all the way unless I want to have my exhaust …
I’ve never had the chance to see Golden Plover close up before. Whenever I’ve driven past a field of them on Westray …
Ravens are so difficult to get close to. Their eyesight is exceptional and they recognise any threat from a great distance. They’re …
The hind claws of Meadow Pipits really are something special. Just look at them: The long hind claw is probably an adaptation …
There are fifty Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan. (I know that because I counted them from my photographs when I got …
Hen Harriers are such wonderful birds that it’s worth sitting out in a field for a whole afternoon just in the hope …
I’m sitting at Noup Head in full camouflage waiting for a Hen Harrier to come and saunter over me. There’s been nothing …
Arctic Terns have beaks like tweezers. Or is it that tweezers are like Arctic Terns’ beaks? It’s all part of our inversion …
I love stopping at Roadmire, the house overlooking the Ayre of Fribo and the Bay of Tuquoy. It’s my favourite place on …
There are 50 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan. One of them has the head of a Rabbit in its beak. I …
I adore Sparrowhawks. I stumbled upon this one in a tree and it was always going to spot me and fly off. …
Spending time hoping a Hen Harrier flies my way has been my favourite pastime this summer. After their summer of success breeding …
When you’re heading vertically downwards at an eye-bulging speed, aiming for a moving target, it’s useful to be able to make fine …
I’m used to seeing Purple Sandpipers in Devon in the winter. There are usually a few birds around Brixham Breakwater, and they’re …
I’ve got a lot of love and appreciation for Sedge Warblers. They’re one of the first birds I took decent photographs of …
Having a Curlew fly over is always a thrill, especially if I can hear it call. It’s the haunting last sound of …
I love it when a Sanderling has something to say. It’s beautiful on Mae Sands as I lie getting my elbows soggy …
The Thrift at Backarass is having a welcome second bloom. As am I.