Into the wind we go
Watching Puffins negotiate high winds is a thrill. I particularly like their head-down, stiff-necked attitude as they take off.
The oldest still-living life form on Earth
See that pale orange-coloured rock? It might not look much, but without this life-form, the rest of life on Earth would never …
Fool’s Gold
We’re walking the coast of Westray when we see large chunks of what look like rusty metal embedded in the rocks. There’s …
Marsh Harrier at Ham Wall
I’ve had many happy times watching Marsh Harriers flying across RSPB reserves. Today is one of them as, after a few distant …
Dazzleships
HMS Medway is off Dartmouth after its latest mechanical problems and the indignity of being towed back to the dockyard in Gibraltar …
Lyme Bay Common Cormorants
We’re on the water guided by Mike Langman again. It’s a great opportunity to see Common Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo, from the sea, …
Balearic Shearwaters and Common Dolphins
We’re out on a wildlife cruise from Brixham, guided by Mike Langman and skippered by Dave Saunders on board the Kelly’s Hero. …
Mr Punch
If you spend enough time with Puffins you are guaranteed comedy gold.
Flying fish
If you’re a regular follower of my blog, you’ll know that Black Guillemots are one of my favourite birds. This summer I …
Beak full of fish
I do love a good head-on Puffin encounter, especially if it’s carrying a Puffling’s meal.
Black Guillemot with a catch
I spent many days on the coasts of Westray and Papa Westray this summer photographing Black Guillemots. This one has a particularly …
Pirate Spider egg sac
There’s a small ball of fluff on the bottom of my pressure washer. I don’t know what memory I have of seeing …
Fratercula arctica
No, I’m not tired of Puffins-with-fish shots.
Ruddy Turnstone on barnacles
It’s always a pleasure to see a Ruddy Turnstone. They’re usually so busy turning stones that I had to take this image …
Rock Pipit on vertical rock strata
I love the beach on Westray which has all its rock strata upended so they are vertical. It’s strange to see all …
Catch of the day
The Atlantic Puffins on Papa Westray were bringing in many of these glassy fish with amazing transparent bodies. This Puffin had clearly …
Trawler bobbin
How did fishermen keep their fishing nets on the sea bed as they trawled? They used huge weights like this trawler bobbin. …
Ringed Plover chick
There’s a Ringed Plover chick on the rocky beach. Charming, aren’t they? I’ve been here before to photograph them. Last year I …
Atlantic Puffin portrait
Gorgeous, aren’t they?
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 excess baggage …
Hogweed sunset
I love the silhouette of Hogweed, especially if it’s against another fabulous Westray sunset.
Escorted Heron
There must be at least 30 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan on Westray. When an unfortunate Grey Heron strays overhead it …
Sunset owl
There’s a Short-Eared Owl hunting over the fields and we see it land on a post just up the road from my …
Bristletails
Seeing Bristletails under the slates in one of my ‘range of useful outbuildings’ is enough to remind me that I really need …
Chattering
Chattering Fulmars are the best. They raise their chins, open their mouths wide, shake their heads and wave their heads from side …
Your Sharona
I couldn’t resist taking this shot. It was such a great scene I sketched it. It’s a pity I didn’t take any …
Razorbill flypast
I’ve spent all day taking photographs of Razorbills. It’s been lovely to spend the day on the cliffs in the sun and …
Neanderthal
I’ve been fascinated by the genetic research into the presence of Neanderthal genes in modern humans over the past few years. Neanderthals …
Double trouble
What’s more menacing than the largest gull in the wold, the Great Black-Backed Gull, flying along the coast? Two of them.
Butterfish
You need to have a serrated mouth and tongue to keep hold of a Butterfish. They’re called that for a reason. Just …