A flock of Twite and an inside leg measurement
I’m walking one of the sections of coastal path on Westray. At least a path is what I call it. There’s actually …
On reflection
I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time with Arctic Terns this summer. It’s been a pleasure. I’ve been sit-in on the rocks …
Tystie takeoff
When I first saw a Black Guillemot hanging about on the cliffs with a fish, I was worried. Was I stopping it …
Hen Harriers at The Loons
I’m going to London for the weekend. That means getting the ferry from Westray to the Mainland first. No, not the mainland …
Missing out
Watching young birds being fed is entertaining, especially if they are twins. The look on the face of the bird which isn’t …
The diving Kittiwake
I’ve not watched a Kittiwake feeding before. It’s fascinating to see their wings beating, their eyes on the sea, their false-starts and …
The best camera…
They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That was certainly true of my evening walk on …
And still the chase goes on…
The Arctic Tern chicks have fledged, yet Great Skuas still patrol and Arctic Tern parents still chase them off. It’s an ever-repeating …
Eider or
I’m waiting for my car to be MOTd. After a dull hour I have to go back to check how it’s going. …
A diving Arctic Tern
Evolution by natural selection has resulted in the most incredible diversity of life on Earth. One of the standout examples in my …
Whaup on a stab
There’s a Curlew on a fence post, or, as Orcadians might say, a Whaup on a stab. I’ve slowed the car down …
Big fish, small bird
This Arctic Tern has caught a fish which is clearly causing it a problem. It can’t feed it to its chick and …
Emerald eyes
I’m walking along the barren rocky coast of the north of Westray. There seems to be very little directly north of here …
“Owl!”
We’ve been sitting in this bird hide for three hours. There’s been nothing. A distant Curlew. A noisy Blackbird rushing across the …
Juvenile Cuckoo with Meadow Pipit attendants
I’m walking along the beach at Mae Sands on a beautiful morning. I’m heading out to see one of the Arctic Tern …
The dive of the Pickieterno
Getting just one shot of an Arctic Tern diving is difficult enough. Getting two? Even more difficult. Getting a whole sequence and …
Risso’s Dolphin
There’s a report on our local WhatsApp group that there’s a stranded Risso’s Dolphin on one of the beaches on Westray. Our …
“Fish!”
We’ve been out to the north end of Westray again, taking photographs of Black Guillemots with their fish. I had in mind …
Hello cheeky
Please don’t tickle this Sand Martin. If you do it’s likely to splutter flies everywhere from cheeks bursting with them. Seriously, birds …
Tension
Water; it’s incredible. Humans have evolved senses to see, smell, and taste a wide variety of sensations and yet we see water …
Black Guillemots and Butterfish
Butterfish are the Black Guillemot’s most common catch. Here’s a Butterfish which is deep red and still wriggling. Black Guillemots usually grip …
Moving air to light
Arctic Terns move between air and water, between north and south, between being territorial and migratory, between Arctic and Antarctic. Their life …
Golden light
The light is incredible on the west coast of Westray. It’s golden, and reflects beautifully off the Atlantic onto the rocky coast. …
Stares
The word Starling means little Stare, a young Stare, a juvenile Stare. Stare is what adult Starlings were always called until everyone …
Trainee wings
There are young Arctic Terns here which have yet to get their full adult plumage. Smart, aren’t they? We’ve walked a mile …
The dance
We’re on Mainland Orkney for a few days because my car needs an MOT. That’s a happy circumstance, because it gives us …
Exhaustion
Skylark, exhausted after all that shouting from on high.
Arrow
As the weather in Orkney has been so idyllic, I’ve been out with my camera for many, many hours, including sitting on …
Silverweed on coral beach
Calling a plant as wonderful as this Potentilla a weed seems deeply unfair, but that’s botany for you. The underside of the …
Westside Wheatears
I’ve taken to walking the Westside of Westray. Yes, I’ve been taking a Walk on the Westside. The glorious weather has meant …