Flutterings

Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also not eligible for any form of Government support, apart from a delay in the money I owe them. There’s no use worrying about it, though. There’s a wider world out there, full of experiences, and people with much worse circumstances. There’s love and food and family and friends and the natural world to provide some balance and consolation.

This afternoon there’s chance for another walk out on Westray. There are fascinating rocks on the cliffs everywhere I walk. These formations, for instance:

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

There are also plenty of fascinating encounters in the air. Here’s a Bridled Guillemot flypast. I’ll be spending some time with them this week, so I’m expecting to get much better shots.

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

There’s a couple of close-formation Oystercatchers making a racket. They’re scolding me in unison from above.

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

There’s a lone Curlew, one of the UK’s fastest declining birds.

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

I’ll be concentrating on getting some decent photos of Curlew this week, too. The light, when it’s just right, makes them light up and highlights their incredible plumage. This shot just doesn’t do it for me.

There’s also a Twite on a barbed-wire fence. They are another bird where their Conservation Status is now Red. It’s a beautiful finch which is down to its last 10,000 breeding pairs in the UK.

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

I can take much better photographs of Twite, too.

It’s going to be a great week of photography for me. It’s time to pack up my troubles and immerse myself in the joy of the natural world. I’m looking forward to your company.

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