Hello my friend, I didn’t recognise you dressed like that

There’s a Common Guillemot in Brixham, just off the breakwater. It takes a while to get a shot of one. I have to climb down the slippery boulders to sea level, watch one as the wind and waves blow it my way, and wait for it to dive and hope it comes up close. And here it is:

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

It took a while for me to recognise it. It’s in its non-breeding plumage. This is how I’m used to seeing them. This one was taken at Bempton Cliffs:

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

Gorgeous, aren’t they?

This was my attempt at a flying shot over a colony of Northern Gannets at Bempton.

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

And then I got the opportunity to photograph one flying on Westray. This one is a bridled Guillemot, with a beautiful eye-stripe:

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

This shot took a heart-stopping descent down the cliffs. Great memories! I look forward to being back with them again in all their summer finery.

Common Guillemots

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