Gannets and Bridled Guillemots with a side order of Seal sausages

Clamour. That’s the best word to describe it.

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

That’s if you’re talking about sound. Pungent would probably the thing that comes to mind if you have a different balance between the senses.

This pair of Gannets are greeting one another with much beak rubbing.

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

Here there’s a bridled Guillemot.

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

That eye stripe is sublime. This one appears to have oil on its plumage which may well give it problems. Apart from being toxic, it affects the water-proofing of the plumage and may lead to heat-loss.

Here’s a pristine one:

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

The Gannets are close this afternoon.

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

This one gives me a wary look at I teeter on the cliffs.

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

On the rocks below is a Grey Seal haul.

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

They lie like fat sausages on a grill.

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

They know I’m here even though I’m a long, long way away, so I retreat and leave them in peace.

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

It must be exhausting swimming when you could be lying in the sun. And lying in the sun is just what I’m going to do now, like a sausage in a blanket.

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