A trip to the Arctics

I’m going on a trip to the Arctics. No, not the North Pole, I’m going on a trip to see the Arctic Terns on Westray.

I am not dressed for the North Pole, either, just Orkney in May.

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

There’s one fishing in the Bay of Swartmill:

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

I love those long tail-streamers. Since I saw them last, they’ve all been to near the South Pole and back. And to think that I say it’s a long way to Orkney from Devon.

There’s some beautiful symmetry there, over the water, on this grey and surprisingly still day.

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

I particularly like the drips falling in a cascade from this one:

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

I hope they have better breeding success this year. I wish them good fishing as I head back across the rocky beach.

More Arctic Terns

Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) An Arctic Tern with a Lumpfish Lumpfish grow to be large fish, sometimes washed up on the beaches of Westray. To see them as tiny fish,… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Fish on parade The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Time, slowed Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They've got to get their family ready for a journey from pole… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) First flight I watched an Arctic Tern colony struggle to raise chicks over the last summer. There was plenty of food, although… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Fish from a stranger What happens when your colony collapses, your numbers are too low and you can't protect your chicks from predators? What… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Feeding time One of the most interesting aspects of bird behaviour is watching parents feeding their young. In this case, I can't… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Arctic Tern chick Arctic Tern chicks are so wonderfully endearing. Isn't this one sweet? read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Arctic Tern on the handrail We had only just arrived on Papa Westray when we saw an Arctic Tern on the handrail. They're such handsome… read more
Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) No excess baggage allowed Arctic Terns have short legs. Comically short legs. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. They need as little… read more

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