Diving Arctic Tern
Something I enjoyed this summer was taking multiple exposures of some of the bird species on Westray and creating composite images from …
The Flow Country
RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows is part of Europe’s largest blanket bog. It’s mile after mile of damp, squishy preserved vegetation, in many …
Flatfish
What’s actually happening isn’t what appears to be happening. It’s laughing at the other one’s fish flapping in the wind, isn’t it? …
A family affair
An Arctic Tern family from this summer. I wonder where they are now? I suspect they’ll be somewhere on the way to …
Swallow shuteye
When the sun shines in Orkney, it’s best to make good use of it. This Swallow agreed.
Crab for dinner
Crabs are powerful crustaceans and can give anyone a nasty nip. Eider Ducks, or Dunters as they are known here in Orkney, …
Aerial ballet
I’ve been enjoying reviewing some of my images from Orkney Mainland taken this summer and this one, from a sequence I took …
Dunlin
I love to see Dunlin on the tideline.
Merlin
Every time I see a Merlin it’s a fleeting glance. It’s either only resting for a second before heading off to hunt …
No hedges to hog
There’s a Hedgehog trundling down the lane. I can see it from a distance, so we shelter at the roadside and wait …
Butterfish
It’s great fun to watch Black Guillemots bobbing on the waves off the coast of Westray. And I love it when they …
Singing in the bath
I’m driving along the car-bottom-scraping track to Noup Head. It’s first gear all the way unless I want to have my exhaust …
Golden Plover
I’ve never had the chance to see Golden Plover close up before. Whenever I’ve driven past a field of them on Westray …
The Raven and the Rabbit’s head
Ravens are so difficult to get close to. Their eyesight is exceptional and they recognise any threat from a great distance. They’re …
Claws
The hind claws of Meadow Pipits really are something special. Just look at them: The long hind claw is probably an adaptation …
The Great Skua, the Ravens and the Rabbit
There are fifty Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan. (I know that because I counted them from my photographs when I got …
The thrill of Hen Harriers
Hen Harriers are such wonderful birds that it’s worth sitting out in a field for a whole afternoon just in the hope …
It’s all in the details
I love walking around the Vatican Museum. It’s great to see the treasures that were accumulated while the majority of the population …
A Kestrel at Noup
I’m sitting at Noup Head in full camouflage waiting for a Hen Harrier to come and saunter over me. There’s been nothing …
Beaks like tweezers
Arctic Terns have beaks like tweezers. Or is it that tweezers are like Arctic Terns’ beaks? It’s all part of our inversion …
Sedge Warbler at Roadmire
I love stopping at Roadmire, the house overlooking the Ayre of Fribo and the Bay of Tuquoy.
Rabbit ears flapping in the wind
There are 50 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan. One of them has the head of a Rabbit in its beak. I …
Sparrowhawk
I adore Sparrowhawks. I stumbled upon this one in a tree and it was always going to spot me and fly off. …
The ultimate Hen Harrier experience
Spending time hoping a Hen Harrier flies my way has been my favourite pastime this summer. After their summer of success breeding …
Fine adjustments
When you’re heading vertically downwards at an eye-bulging speed, aiming for a moving target, it’s useful to be able to make fine …
Purple Sandpiper
I’m used to seeing Purple Sandpipers in Devon in the winter. There are usually a few birds around Brixham Breakwater, and they’re …
Sedge Warbler
I’ve got a lot of love and appreciation for Sedge Warblers. They’re one of the first birds I took decent photographs of …
A curly Curlew
Having a Curlew fly over is always a thrill, especially if I can hear it call. It’s the haunting last sound of …
Something to say
I love it when a Sanderling has something to say. It’s beautiful on Mae Sands as I lie getting my elbows soggy …
Extra nesting material
It’s a little late for this Gannet to start bringing back more seaplants to the nest. Their chick is already massive and …