Monthly Archives: July 2015

Strange Looking Puffin?

Posted on by
4

Caught a shot of this imposter trying to impersonate a puffin on the Farne Islands, Northumbria.

Puffin imposter

Puffin imposter

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Pied Wagtail

Posted on by
Reply

Here are a couple of shots of a pied wagtail taken recently in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Pied Wagtail
Pied Wagtail

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skylark over Cornflower Field

Posted on by
7

Here are a few shots of a skylark hovering above a lush blue cornflower field located in London Colney, Hertfordshire.

Skylark over cornflower field
Skylark over cornflower field
Skylark over cornflower field
Skylark over cornflower field
Skylark

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Puma

Posted on by
Reply

Here are a few shots of a Puma (aka mountain lion, panther or indeed cougar) taken at the Cat Survival Trust in Hertfordshire.  This unique and stunning looking specimen is the second largest cat in North America with the largest being  the Jaguar.  Amazingly, for such a large cat the puma cannot roar, instead it growls, purrs and hisses just like a domestic cat.

Puma
Puma
Puma
Puma
Puma

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Gone Fishing

Posted on by
6

At this time of the year it is crucial for the puffin to regularly go fishing in order to collect as many sand eels, herring or sprats to ensure the survival of their demanding and hungry pufflings.  These shots were taken on inner Farne and as you can see the bigger beakful of fish the better.

Puffin
Puffin
Puffin
Puffin

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Eurasian Wildcat

Posted on by
Reply

Here are a few shots of the muscular and highly aggressive Eurasian Wildcat taken at the Cat Survival Trust in Hertfordshire.  I used my 50mm prime lens which provides a lovely blurred background and actually makes the wildcat look more like a domestic cat and perhaps cute and cuddly.  However, picture 4 clearly demonstrates the aggressive side of its nature.

Eurasian Wildcat
Eurasian Wildcat
Eurasian Wildcat
Eurasian Wildcat

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Arctic Terns in Flight

Posted on by
Reply

Here are a few other shots of the majestic arctic tern in flight taken at the Farne Islands.

Arctic Tern in Flight
Arctic Tern in Flight
Arctic Tern in Flight
Arctic Tern in Flight

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Aliens?

Posted on by
3

When I look at the razorbill with its black face and narrow white stripes around the eyes and beak, I cannot help thinking they may have migrated from outer space as opposed to somewhere in North America.  These shots were taken at the Farne Islands where thousands of razorbills descend to breed each year and make little aliens.

Razorbills
Razorbills
Razorbill
Razorbills

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

It’s a hard life being a Puffin

Posted on by
Reply

A puffin’s lot is certainly not easy – constant visits back and forward to the sea in order to ensure the survival of their pufflings.  The following shots demonstrate the daily struggle for a puffin trying to fend off the black headed gulls in order to protect their bounty (sand eels the official terminology) and ensure their young do not go hungry.  Having observed this at close quarters it was evident that the small build of the puffin gave it the manoeuvrability and speed to more often than not protect their hoard of sand eels.

Puffin being hrassed by a black-headed gull
Puffin being hrassed by a black-headed gull
Puffin being hrassed by a black-headed gull
Puffin being hrassed by a black-headed gull
Puffin being hrassed by a black-headed gull

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.