Arctic Terns

Posted on June 28, 2015 by John Mallaney

Following my last post on this fantastic looking sea bird in-flight at the Farne Islands, here are a number of shots of the arctic tern in a much more peaceful pose.

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern with chick

Arctic Tern

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Puffins in Flight

Posted on June 28, 2015 by John Mallaney

Here are a few in-flight shots of one of our favourite birds, the Puffin, taken at the Farne Islands during the breeding season. These little birds work their socks off, constantly bringing in sand eels and other small fish to feed their pufflings who hungrily wait in their burrow. If that is not enough, upon arrival at the burrow these little birds have to use their speed and agility to dodge the waiting gulls who are always ready to pounce and steal their beakfulls of fish. Look out for future posts showing this daily battle.

Puffin in Flight

Puffins in Flight

Puffin in Flight

Arctic Terns In-Flight

Posted on June 28, 2015 by John Mallaney

I recently went on my first ever photographic trip to the Farne Islands which are located off the coast of Northumberland. The aim of the day was to view and photograph the annual event of numerous species of breeding sea birds, including puffins, razorbills and guillemots, which inhabit the islands during the summer months. I did not expect the trip to disappoint and I was proved correct; the noise and stench of tens of thousands of sea birds was chaotic and quite simply a spectacle to behold. Although much documented, an encounter with an arctic tern is both noisy and interesting – they will do anything to protect their chicks, and a peck on the head from what is quite a powerful beak requires the wearing of a hat. Notwithstanding this, the arctic terns are an elegant looking sea bird and appear quite angelic, particularly when in-flight.

A trio of Arctic Terns

A vocal warning from an Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Posted on March 29, 2015 by John Mallaney

Here are a few shots of Bamburgh castle one of Northumberland’s most renowned sights. Situated on the Northumberland coastline the castle overlooks both the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne and is well worth a visit particularly when the sun is shining.