My new hat!!

Part One: Staple Island

I was going to tell you about my new hat. It's especially designed for Arctic conditions. However that'll have to wait as I need to relate my trip with Barry to the Farne Islands on Tuesday 5/7. Weather was rubbish as we headed north into rain and then mist. Beyond the Tyne Tunnel and an approaching occlusion the sky brightened and once at Seahouses all was full of promise.

It would be Barry's first time on Staple Island if we could land safely. Well, landing was a bit of a scramble in the swell but we made it. First views...of the principal characters! Starring:

Puffins Puffin

I caught a sand eel this long!!

Puffin Shags...and razorbills

Shag Shag & razorbills
Razorbill Guillemots Guillemots Lesser black-backed gulls Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Bamburgh Castle from Staple Island Bamburgh Castle from the Farnes My interest in bird photography was sparked by a desire to catch birds in flight or bifs to the more obsessive! Here's a few bifs. Puffin Puffin Puffin Puffin

And a few more on the rocks...

Puffin Puffin Shags Kittiwake Puffin Puffin

The eyes have it! Puffin Oystercatcher and young Oystercatcher Oystercatcher Oystercatcher

Puffin Puffin

Puffin Puffin Dinosaur with young!

Shag Puffin Puffin Guillemots Guillemots Guillemots Guillemots Bridled Guillemot Guillemot Guillemots Guillemots ...and so we left Staple Island. Not easy taking photos from the boat due to the swell. Here's a reasonable shot of a razorbill.

Raxorbill Part Two follows in a few days! See you on Inner Farne for Part Two and the conclusion of My New Hat!!