Kittiwake, Kittisleep

There’s a Kittiwake at the end of the pier where the Papa Westray ferry arrives. It’s stunning in the early morning light. We appear to have got the 7:30am ferry. I thought we must be mad until we arrived and experienced this light.

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

Kittiwakes are birds with no big toes. They don’t seem to miss them too much. I decide to get closer without spooking it. Maybe it’s the early morning. Maybe it’s the light. Maybe it’s the way I approach it. Whatever it is, the Kittiwake doesn’t appear to want to fly off.