We're off to see the Puffins...

... the wonderful Puffins of May.

With the sun making an appearance in the morning confidence was high that the Isle of May boat trip would go ahead as planned. Confidence that was borne out despite a strong wind whipping up the sea.

Cracking day. We were warned before going out and on arrival that the late springing Spring, in addition to the Puffin wreck of this year, meant that there weren't that many Puffins about, but fortunately we happened upon a wee collection, and the hoped for shot for the BlipBigYear was secured. This particular proud wee chap was keeping an eye out from the door to his burrow - and there are burrows everywhere just hinting at how many Puffins there will be around when the weather finally gets into its speedos.

With quite a few different species (including some surprised looking Shags), but not large numbers, on the island we left early, heading instead for an unplanned half hour potter sheltering from the wind behind the Bass Rock. We landed there a few years ago and spent loads of time sitting in amongst the gannets, and they don't lose their appeal. Certainly if there hadn't been any Puffins, then this determined look would have been appearing above. Quite pleased with manual focussing with a 500mm lens from a moving boat and managing to get some reasonably sharp shots of flying Gannets. Okay, 'quite' might be a bit of an understatement, I'm really rather chuffed.

Good day out all in all, despite the low bird numbers on May, and a trip I'd be more than happy to try and make again next year.

Some more of my favourites:
Shouting down
Loving Couple
Nest Material
FlyBy
Content Seal
GuillemotYellow
Cliff Puffin
Puffin Group
Flying Puffin