The Fulmars of Backarass

We’re walking down past Backarass on Westray. It’s a special landscape of shattered rocks and still pools:

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

The weather is fabulous and every step is a joy:

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

It’s not the right weather for photography of one of my favourite spots: the unnamed rock arch:

We walk along the coastal path, on a narrow rutted track between the cliffs and the fields bordered by barbed-wire.

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

Below are Fulmar chicks

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

Rocks formed 380 million years ago lie in scattered rock-falls:

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

While the next generation of birds nestle on grassy ledges above:

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

And an adult wheels silently above:

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

The contrast between them is so stark.

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