Tuesday 2 June 2015

25th - 26th May - Auks On Skomer

As promised here is the whole collection of photographs taken of the Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins on or around Skomer island on the two days we visited.  The first day being on the Island, the second day an evening cruise around the the east side on both north and south coasts.

First up the Guillemots:

We have come from another world!



The bridled comparison




Playing Penguin



On the water



And trying to get off it




Finally the nesting ledges


Razorbills





An impressive bill.



Not as sociable as the Guillemots, preferring their own space.




In certain light the black plumage takes on a similar brown tinge to that of the Guillemots



And of course you can not ignore their aerial skills.





Finally everyone's favourite, the Puffin

Isn't it rich*



Are we a pair



Me here at last on the ground



You in mid air!



Where are the clowns?



Send in the Clowns



Don't bother they're here


Every so often you would come across one peering from the entrance to its burrow.  I am sure that they are not as sad as they look, but I wonder if they are as concerned at all the attention.





They would just appear from beneath the ground amongst the grass and bluebells



Sitting there looking as if they are thinking what to do.



In flight they are really comical, their landing skills going from a complete belly flop crash landing on water to the vision of control as they approach land only to tumble.  In this one little chap looks really pleased to see these arrive.



The first sign they are about to take off is the wing flapping.






But they always managed to surprise me, and I missed the patter across the water before they were off in a whirr of wings.





They seemed happier on the water.



But still with the endearing look


And finally bathed in sunshine on the golden water.



I hope you have enjoyed these as much as we did at the time, and in posting these images.

*With help from Stephen Sondheim's lyrics from "Send in the Clowns

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