Arctic Terns In-Flight

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.

© [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.

Red Tail Hawk

The following shots of a Red Tail Hawk were taken recently at the Gyrs international falconry centre near Holy Island, Lindisfarne.

© [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.

Curlew

Here are a few shots of a curlew taken during a recent trip to
Lindisfarne in Northumberland.

© [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.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

Here are a few shots of Dunstanburgh Castle which  is located on a beautiful stretch of Northumbrian coastline.  The 14th century fortification  was the site of fierce fighting particularly during the war of the roses.  Not surprisingly the castle  is a ruin but nevertheless  a mightily impressive sight.

© [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.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

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.

© [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

 

Warkworth Castle, Northumberland

Here are a few shots of Warkworth Castle, a 12th century medieval ruin located on a hill above the river Coquet in Northumberland.  Once home to the powerful Percy family, who now reside not too far away in Alnwick Castle, Warkworth is one of the largest and most impressive fortresses in North East England.   It was once home to ‘Harry Hotspur’, a valiant and significant knight of the Anglo-Scottish wars of the day.  Unfortunately the castle was not open during our visit so an amble around the exterior was the best we could do.

© [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.