Currently browsing

Page 2

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

Head-on

Seeing a bird head-on in flight gives you a completely different perspective. This Atlantic Puffin over the turquoise seas of west Westray …

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

Stromness

I’ve passed through Stromness a couple of times but spent next to no time there. This evening is different. As I wait …

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

When your fish goes all curly

A problem with hunting for your food is that sometimes it carries on wriggling. This Black Guillemot was having problems containing its …

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

Getting close

Getting close to any wild bird is a privilege. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to see how wild birds act …

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

The Puffin and the Shag

As soon as I see it, I can’t resist it. The image of that Puffin with an out-of-focus Shag behind is somehow …

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

The Arctic Tern and the Lumpfish

There are 60 Arctic Terns in this colony but sadly only three surviving chicks. That’s better than the collapsed colony at the …

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

Fresh crab

I’m surprised to see a Black Guillemot with something that doesn’t look like a fish in its beak. I track it through …

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

Razorbill in spray

When I visit one of my favourite places on Westray I’m usually frustrated that the sun and wind are coming from opposite …

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

Kleptoparasitism

Why bother fishing when you can steal another bird’s fish? Arctic Skuas are adept at kleptoparasitism. I’m on Papa Westray for the …

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

Fish delivery

On the North Sea coast of Westray the Puffins nest in old rabbit holes and their own earth burrows. On the Atlantic …

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

The Atlantic coast

The west coast of Westray is the Atlantic coast. The east coast of Westray is the North Sea coast. It’s possible to …

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

Finding a Cooter-neb

The Razorbills along the Westray coast make a spectacular sight. Their dramatic Emo-Puffin plumage is glorious against the dark rocks. The Orkney …

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

Butterfish incoming!

I’ve been enjoying the Black Guillemots on Westray this summer. Here’s one bringing a Butterfish, Pholis gunnellus, or Rock Gunnel, into its …

Common Cormorant v Shag - The Hall of Einar - copyright David Bailey (not the)

Common Cormorant v Shag

One of the trickiest id challenges for me when I re-started birding was telling the difference between a Common Cormorant and a …

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

Owl across the road

As I drive back to the house I spot a Short-Eared Owl on a fence post. I swing the car into the …

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

The Sand Messengers return

It’s a joy to see the Ruddy Turnstones have returned from their brief trip to the most northerly coasts on Earth. The …

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

Diving Gannet and Noup Head

It’s a distant view of Noup Head lighthouse from the bay, but when I see a Gannet circling I know just the …

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

Always take your camera with you

One of my friends says, “Always take your camera to the supermarket”. It’s a wise suggestion. I’m outside in beautiful weather when …

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

Lapwing in a field

I’ve wanted to take a photograph of a Lapwing like this, but not like this, for years. As I drive past the …

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

Starlings in fine weather

It’s good weather, so I’ve returned to Rapness Mill to see if I can get some better action photographs of Starlings. Rapness …

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

Eider flypast

Eiders are fast, powerful flyers. They can reach 70mph, so successfully photographing one in full flow is always tricky. Tricky, but worth …

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

Chew Valley

We’re taking a hike up Chew Valley. We pass The Clarence on the way, site of my teenage drinking and snooker playing. …

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

Linties

A pair of Linnets is a constant joy. Especially when the male is singing from a perch in my garden. The female …

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

Shocking a Shag

I appear to be standing in a place which Shags usually land to dry and preen and be social. That can be …