Finally I have the chance to get a clear photograph of a Dunlin. There’s one in a shallow pool and I can crawl towards it around the pool across the short grass and get a low angle if I’m lucky. The only problem is that I’m surrounded by cattle and …
No, I’m not really. I’m just using my uropygial gland to oil my feathers so I don’t get waterlogged.
A Black Guillemot in sunshine is a wondrous thing, especially when they’re in full breeding finery. This one was speeding back to …
I love the dancing patterns the wave-crashed foam makes on the blue-grey sea below Papa Westray’s low cliffs. Especially when a Puffin …
Some lucky chick will be receiving a juicy caterpillar very soon. Getting a photograph of a bird taking off is always tricky. …
Watching Puffins negotiate high winds is a thrill. I particularly like their head-down, stiff-necked attitude as they take off.
See that pale orange-coloured rock? It might not look much, but without this life-form, the rest of life on Earth would never …
We’re walking the coast of Westray when we see large chunks of what look like rusty metal embedded in the rocks. There’s …
I’ve had many happy times watching Marsh Harriers flying across RSPB reserves. Today is one of them as, after a few distant …
HMS Medway is off Dartmouth after its latest mechanical problems and the indignity of being towed back to the dockyard in Gibraltar …
We’re on the water guided by Mike Langman again. It’s a great opportunity to see Common Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo, from the sea, …
We’re out on a wildlife cruise from Brixham, guided by Mike Langman and skippered by Dave Saunders on board the Kelly’s Hero. …
If you spend enough time with Puffins you are guaranteed comedy gold.
If you’re a regular follower of my blog, you’ll know that Black Guillemots are one of my favourite birds. This summer I …
I do love a good head-on Puffin encounter, especially if it’s carrying a Puffling’s meal.
I spent many days on the coasts of Westray and Papa Westray this summer photographing Black Guillemots. This one has a particularly …
There’s a small ball of fluff on the bottom of my pressure washer. I don’t know what memory I have of seeing …
No, I’m not tired of Puffins-with-fish shots.
It’s always a pleasure to see a Ruddy Turnstone. They’re usually so busy turning stones that I had to take this image …
I love the beach on Westray which has all its rock strata upended so they are vertical. It’s strange to see all …
The Atlantic Puffins on Papa Westray were bringing in many of these glassy fish with amazing transparent bodies. This Puffin had clearly …
How did fishermen keep their fishing nets on the sea bed as they trawled? They used huge weights like this trawler bobbin. …
There’s a Ringed Plover chick on the rocky beach. Charming, aren’t they? I’ve been here before to photograph them. Last year I …
Gorgeous, aren’t they?
Arctic Terns have short legs. Comically short legs. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. They need as little excess baggage …
I love the silhouette of Hogweed, especially if it’s against another fabulous Westray sunset.
There must be at least 30 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan on Westray. When an unfortunate Grey Heron strays overhead it …
There’s a Short-Eared Owl hunting over the fields and we see it land on a post just up the road from my …
Seeing Bristletails under the slates in one of my ‘range of useful outbuildings’ is enough to remind me that I really need …
Chattering Fulmars are the best. They raise their chins, open their mouths wide, shake their heads and wave their heads from side …