Puffins
Posted: Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
We had a visit from Mother in law last week and decided to take her across to the Treshnish Isles and see a puffin close up. The weather was fantastic - the puffins had arrived and were going through their mating ritual - bit of beak kissing - and I caught one getting bits for the nest - they are lovely little birds and make the strangest noise, almost like a low throb of a boat engine - bizarre.
We are all enjoying this lovely spell - too scared to look at the forecast in case its going to end.
"this is my best side"
"do you like my beak?"
This will make a nice lining
Give us a kiss!
Staffa - at the side of Fingal's cave - MM does this have a name??
Threesome!
You put your whole beak in - your whole beak out and you do the hokey cokey
the rock was so pink inside Fingal's cave - MM what is this??
The Carnaburg Isles from Lunga
"Is it safe to come out?"
Ben More on Mull from Lunga
I couldnt resist this one - a baby Highland coo - I love them!
We are all enjoying this lovely spell - too scared to look at the forecast in case its going to end.
"this is my best side"
"do you like my beak?"
This will make a nice lining
Give us a kiss!
Staffa - at the side of Fingal's cave - MM does this have a name??
Threesome!
You put your whole beak in - your whole beak out and you do the hokey cokey
the rock was so pink inside Fingal's cave - MM what is this??
The Carnaburg Isles from Lunga
"Is it safe to come out?"
Ben More on Mull from Lunga
I couldnt resist this one - a baby Highland coo - I love them!
Comments
Great photos Wild Freckle. The one of Staffa bears an uncanny resemblance to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland
Carol from IBHQ
Well Carol, funny you should say that - there is an old folk tale about 2 giants, one in Ireland and one in Scotland who were building a path to meet - cant remember the finer details but yes, its the same as the Giant's Causeway - I'm sure MM will fill us in on the geological connection! I know they are basalt columns
Wild Freckle from blue skies on Mull
super snaps,WF maybe the pink rocks are quartz??
carol from over here
WF, Thanks for the pictures... Those Puffin are cute+.
CVBruce from CA, USA
Nice pictures WF! Really nice. You had a cracker of a day there - looks like the weather was just about perfect. To answer the questions: that little island (I think its the one in your pic!) beside Staffa, near where the boat lands is called "Am Buachaille" - "The Herdsman" - its a pretty neat island in its own right - the basalt columns look really great there. The reddish pink rock looks a bit like the "red bole" that you see elsewhere. A bit hard to tell exactly from the pic, but it looks like it - caused by sub-aerial erosion and weathering of the basalt, the red colour because of the iron in it. Well done!
Mountainman from Tobermory
thanks MM - great night last night - learnt so much! look forward to doing a course or a trip! The weather was perfect but he who must be obeyed said "it will be cold on the boat - take everything" so we had gloves, hats, woollies - and of course, it was cooking, not even a breeze and so we had all this extra luggage to carry! Oh the wisdom of men! I shall certainly look at Mull's rocks in a different light! cheers.
Wild Freckle from Mull
Oh Wild Freckle these photographs are just simply stunning. Your puffins should be on a calendar they are fabulous.
Squidgy the Otter from Isle of Coll
Lovely PHOTOGRAPHS, WF, I sent the link to my eldest daughter who is a piffin fan. Or a fuffin pin. Something. She is nice. Like puffins, but a bit different. OK, its Friday evening, gie's a break!
Barney from Swithiod puffin' again
I love the conversation pieces. Exactly the same thing takes place on 'the street' in Stromness every day (unless the weather is foul)...you didn't happen to hear what they were saying?
Flying Cat from earwigging
Hi WF, v jealous of your puffins - still waiting for ours here! They are clearly being waylayed by the hospitality of the west. Stunning pics too.
Stromness Dragon from Green of face
Fantastic pictures. I take it you will leading the next bird club field trip ?.
Mull Owl from shed in tobermory
thank you all for your kind comments - the puffins are so easy to photograph - they are just feet in front of you and dont seem bothered by humans! Would love a bird club field trip on Lunga!!!
Wild Freckle from Mull
Dear WF, I am holidaying in Scotland in August 2008. Love your photographs. I don't think I will get to Mull but going to Isle of Skye and the Orkneys. Hope to see some puffins.
Christine Buckingham from Australia
I think August is a bit too late for puffins Christine, but you never know.
Flying Cat from now you see them...
A new life on the Isle of Mull for my husband and daughter - an attempt to escape the ratrace, live simply and enjoy the simple things in life on this tranquil island!
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