OOOPS

Took loads of pics today thinking the focussing was odd because of the drizzle, oops big mistake - I was still on manual focus not auto!!  Ah me........  still the Great Skua obviously flew into range occasionally........

Forest and Coast......

A great day out with Yorkshire Coast Nature, forest birds did what forest birds do and hid amongst the foliage, but a cacophony of Goldcrests with glimpses!! Willow Warbler (on a Willow!), Tree Creeper (creeping) showed well and Common Crossbills flew over - capped by a distant Goshawk.....

and so to the Coast - where the photography was somewhat easier (well a little).  No whales but.....

A Storm Petrel got us off to a good start after floating through rafts of puffins and guillemots.  Diving Gannets were as difficult to snap as ever, young Gannets proved curious, a Kittiwake flew close - and a Sooty Shearwater bit of a bit more than it could chew with a whole Mackerel.......  Skipper Sean was great proving close views and chocolate!!!

 missed it again!!

 

 

Oh no, not another Gannet

As this era of Bempton draws to a close and we await the building of the new centre......  the birds remain.........

A week on Mull....

Just had a lovely week on Mull with me Mum.   After a very wet drive over from Aberlady (yes we just had to have another night at Ducks!) and a slightly delayed ferry we arrived safely if tired.  The next day the rain had gone and the week got warmer and warmer - sunburnt and no midges - had the ferry gone further than we thought?

As a semi-organised holiday there were trips booked for three days (we did two - a day on a mini bus in almost 30 degress felt a trip to much) - both involved boats so we were both happy!

Driving around on single-track roads looking for eagles and otters proved fun even if the latter were elusive.  Once the eyes were locked in to eagles they were everywhere (well almost).  The scenery amazing and the locals friendly!  We even found the 'hidden' mausoleum of the Maquarie family  - the resting place of the first Governor of New South Wales..

A whale watch cruise provided huge flocks of manx shearwaters, a few gannets, puffins and of course guillemots....but NO whales....  We gave it another go later in the week but still no joy..but we did get to meet Professor Plankton (yes Megan it can be interesting!!)

Lunga was as fantastic as I remembered - puffin therapy.......

The many sides of Tobermory

Some of the wildlife

The Maquarie Mausoleum

The most amazing fish and chip van...

Yes, bagpipes - the few from Mum's room

and last but certainly not least - the puffins of Lunga