Farne Islands - again!

My seven readers will be saying "Not again!". Another visit to the Farne Islands and yet again a day when the sun failed to shine. The previous day had been bright sunshine, albeit Storm Harold was lashing the sea at around force ten on the Beaufort Scale. Today was much calmer and, in the end, we were lucky to get out of harbour.

Photographing black and white birds in poor light always leads to problems but on the Farnes there is always something to photograph and you end up with something that is usable.

Arriving at Staple Island we were greeted by the Puffin welcoming committee, posing obligingly.

Everyone wants flight shots but with the prevailing light it was always going to be difficult.

Life isn't easy for the Puffins - parasites abound. The Puffin spends an awful long time out at sea catching sand eels for the chicks, the gulls just hang around waiting to pounce as the birds come into their rabbit hole nests. Some get through, others lose all their catch and have to do it all again. This one made it with half a beak full.

Safe - for now.

There are thousands of other seabirds on the island - it's just that I could sit and watch Puffins for hours.

Thousands of seabirds give the atmosphere a pungent aroma of fish.

Guillemots give you a quizzical look 

The "bridled" form

Fulmar

Kittiwake

Kittiwakes

Shags

Only the top predator on the island can afford to leave its young and eggs only half guarded.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Not long before it is swallowing tern chicks whole!

Then a short boat ride over to Inner Farne to catch up with some very obliging Arctic Terns

How can such a demure looking bird turn into a ferocious pecking and pooing nightmare - 'cos you are a tad close.