Touching waves with wing-tips
I love to walk along the Sands o’ Maesan, climb the rocks at the end of the beach, and make my way to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s an important Iron Age burial ground with stunning views out towards the island of Rousay. There were over 100 burials here and over 60 of them were newborn babies:
It’s a place to value life and modern medicine.
It’s also the perfect place to capture Arctic Terns and Gannets diving, or Black Guillemots bringing home bright red Butterfish while being hunted by Arctic Skuas for their fish. Today, I’m admiring the beautiful weather and the Fulmars wheeling around the coast.
This one was touching the waves with its wing-tips as it flew.
More Fulmars
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A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack. An Arctic Skua attacking a Fulmar. A Stercorarius parasiticus attacking a Fulmarus glacialis. Dramatic, isn't… read more
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One dramatic evening It's a dramatic evening, already quite dark, yet this Fulmar is still flying. The sun is lighting up the high… read more
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Alternative nesting sites On the cliffs of Westray are two Fulmar resting places. They're both in the north-end of the island. One is… read more
A Fulmar at the skeleton house A Fulmar from summer, sitting pretty on the top of a wall in the skeleton house. Its beached carcass and… read more
If ever I could fly Of all the birds of the sea, the greatest fliers are the Fulmars: There is no bird so alive to… read more
2019 highlights of a wilder Orkney life The turning of the year is always a great time for reflection. Celebrating the darkest day with the thought that… read more