The words ‘Great’ and ‘Northern’ go together so well
There are Great Northern Divers in the harbour in Brixham. That’s what social media tells me, so it must be true. I’d like to get some more close-up images of them, preferably from a low angle, as they’re seriously impressive birds. Luckily, as I track one and climb and scramble down the rocks of Brixham breakwater to get close to where I hope it will surface after a dive, one pops up right in front of me.
What a stunner. They don’t seem to be phased by people at all. Maybe it helps that I’m perfectly still, quiet and camouflaged.
It’s a shame the light’s overcast and cloudy. The forecast was for wall-to-wall sunshine and I came here with high hopes. I’m committed now, so I wait until the sun’s about to set and it comes out for a glorious few minutes. Now I just have to find another Great Northern Diver.
They are diving for crabs, which they shake the legs off and then swallow whole. I need to come back and get some more images of that happening, too.
I’d love to see another flyover, too:
It’s always an adventure to see them here.
My final view is of one in the inner harbour. What a special experience to spend time with something so wild.
