Time, slowed
Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They’ve got to get their family ready for a journey from pole to pole for a life of long daylight and a year with two summers.
I chose a relatively long exposure for this photograph of a hovering bird so that I could show some natural wing-blur. I love how in-focus the head and beak is, as it stabilised its neck to be able to lock onto a clear view below.
More Arctic Terns
Arctic Terns in the bay There's a small group of Arctic Terns in the bay. They are such beautiful birds. I love the long tail… read more
The beauty of Arctic Terns The Arctic Terns at the Bay of Tuquoy have had success with their breeding colony this year. It's been a… read more
A perfect hat-trick A perfect hat-trick in football is when you score three goals, one with your left foot, one with your right… read more
Not long out of the egg Arctic Terns are colonial nesting birds. I'm sure of that fact. I've spent 18 years exploring Westray and seeing their… read more
An emotional state The Arctic Terns on Westray are bringing a succession of fish in to their youngsters. The beach is crowded with… read more
Beautiful conflict Aikerness is the most northerly part of Westray, where the wild waves crash and the wind blows uninterrupted by walls… read more
Air to light Two years ago I took a photograph I love. It is of an Arctic Tern hovering, using a long exposure… read more
As cool as the Arctic The Arctic Terns on Westray are a curious bunch. If you start to care about them it can be an… read more
Arctic Tern feeding A memory of last summer with the Arctic Terns of Westray. There were so few chicks in this colony that… read more