Masters of the side-wind landing
Puffins still have to land whichever way the wind is blowing. That’s tricky, because ideally they would like to land into the wind. That simply doesn’t work if the wind is coming directly onto the land.
Some Puffins are having an easier time of this blustery weather as the in and out nature of the coast means they can still land in a sensible direction.
Some, however, have to really push it to land sideways.
Despite being small and looking a little ungainly, Puffins are supremely adept at controlling their landing.
They’re a pleasure to watch.
More Puffins
The best camera… They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That was certainly true of my evening… read more
At night I dream of the Ocean This Atlantic Puffin has come to rest on the low, grassy cliffs, where its burrow faces the North Sea. It… read more
2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 2) August in Orkney can be quieter than May, June or July when it comes to bird life. In 2022, August… read more
2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 1) 2022 was a very happy time for me on my visits to Orkney. I spent hours on the low cliffs… read more
Yet more Puffins I took so many photographs of Puffins this summer that I've not published even a fraction of my favourites, so… read more
Puffins chased by Arctic Skuas A Puffin's dinner is an Arctic Skua's dinner. Arctic Skuas are hunting Puffins for their fish on Westray and they're… read more
More Puffins I took more photographs of Puffins this summer than I can possibly post. So here are some of my unseen… read more
Webbed feet If you are wondering how Puffins catch fish, they actually fly under water. They float on the surface of the… read more