Wordless Wednesday... Cute

Who needs words when you look like this....

I'm linking today to Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) 

and

 

Thanks for visiting my place... have a great day

RSPB Fowlsheugh Bird Sanctuary

Since our return to Bonnie Scotland, I have wanted to revisit the RSPB Fowlsheugh Bird Santuary and last week I actually managed to do just that. 

It's only a short drive from Aberdeen so we are very lucky. 

The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh are packed with approximately 130,000 breeding seabirds at this time of year, from Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and my personal favourite... the Puffin. It's possible also to see grey seals, dolphins and minke whales too, if you are lucky. 

But before we start our visit, perhaps I should warn you that this post contains a lot of photographs and if you have vertigo, then maybe this post isn't for you.

So watch your step and let's head to the edge of the cliffs....

The weather was a mixed bag on the day... we got both wet and sunburnt!

(Just a typical summer day in Aberdeenshire)

I'm always surprised by three things when visiting the santuary.

Firstly, that there are no railings, fencing or any restrictions on the clifftops. 

Secondly, the smell can be quite pungent shall we say and thirdly the noise is incredible.

But the views are spectacular.

Breath-taking in fact.

Yes, once I got into photographic mode, I had to be reminded not to step too near the edge.

I tend to get a compelling feeling that I'm being pulled if I get too near the edge, especially whilst looking down to the sea crashing onto the cliffs.

Obviously the birds don't suffer this... looking at the tiny ledge they call home.

Did you spot them? 

In the photo above it shows the closest that I could get to the baby birds.

It was a very precarious perch... I mean me... not the bird!

I was amazed to see flowers growing... they must be hardy to survive here.

You might think that you are just looking at the cliff face, but let me tell you that that cliff is teaming with life. How they perch on to the rock face is beyond me.

Here's a closer look at just how many birds are nesting here. 

The mind boggles as to how they find the right nest when they return from a visit out to sea.

It appears that no perch is beyond their reach.

As we passed other visitors we asked if they had been successful in seeing any Puffins. 

It was on my wish list to see these incredible birds, especially as they have been placed on the endangered list. 

One chap in full camouflage gear carrying enough camera equipment to sink a battle ship, said that he'd seen only few, as numbers were down this year. 

I began to think I'd be unsuccessful in my quest yet again.

Well the view certainly made up for any disappointment.

But with the aid of rather strong binoculars and my very own Twitcher 

(that's a bird watcher for those who may not have heard of this term before) 

we found two pairs of Puffins! 

They were situated on the grass bank near that cave (shown in above photo)

We watched as one parent returned numerous times to the nest with their bill full of sand eels. 

Fantastic!

Unfortunately, I still haven't purchased that zoom lens, so I haven't managed to get a photo for you, but I can't tell you how happy I was and I may even have done a little happy dance, if I hadn't been so near the edge of the cliff.
I'm linking today to Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) and Mersad ~ Photography Through My Lens

If you'd like to read more about the RSPB Bird Sanctuary then click Here

Scotland does have amazing scenery and I hope to show you more soon.

Thank you for spending some time with me.

Have a great day and hopefully I'll see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo... The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

We are having an abundance of bird visitors right now. 

I'd love to show you them all up close, but unfortunately I need to purchase a zoom lens first. 

It's been on my 'to do' list since Christmas, when I was presented with a new camera. 

One visitor that I'm particularly pleased to see returning this summer is the Yellowhammer. 

I haven't managed to obtain a decent photo yet, but here's the RSPB website if you'd like to see details plus a little video... click here

Yesterday I thought that we had lost one of our Greater Spotted Woodpecker friends, because I found one little fella on the floor looking slightly dazed. 

(I'd cleaned my windows the day before and as usual the birds seem to want to wreck my handy-work by flinging themselves straight into them, leaving a perfect imprint on the glass). 

I checked the little chap hadn't broken his neck or wing and retreated to watch, whilst ensuring that the neighbours cat didn't come calling. 

After quite some time when he hadn't moved, I thought he might need some water, so I carefully approached... which made him take fright and he flew away... off to the woods.

Note to self: Don't bother cleaning windows... that way I'm doing my bit for nature! 

That'll do for me

Here's he is or possibly one of his relatives!

As usual I'm linking up with  'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife, Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)and Mersad over at Through my lens

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, full of fun.

Thanks for popping by and I hope to see you all again soon.

My Sunday Photo... the one that got away!

Today I'm willing to show you just when things don't go to plan... I'm linking up this photo of Muffin appreciating the beautiful hot day we had today. In fact it was just like summer (at last) but this wasn't the photo that I intended to use. 

Imagine a beautiful blue sky, green lush fields, and a fantastic Red Arrow display flying right over you. Well that is what I intended.
Unfortunately, I was talking on the phone when they flew over. (Trust me eh?)

When I heard them I quickly dashed outside, grabbing my mobile phone and took a shot. 

This was the result.
You'll have to look very hard into the distance, just above the trees to see the last of the loop the loop trail.

I can imagine that you all have had that feeling of a particular photograph... the one that got away.
Please tell me you do... I might feel slightly better then.

It would have been perfect to have captured them flying over in fantastic formation!

They looked magnificent.

Here's a photo taken by Paul Collier from the control tower of Aberdeen Airport.
He's taken some amazing photo's if you'd like to see more... click here

As usual I'm linking up with  'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife and with Mersad over at Through my lens and Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)

Enjoy your Sunday everyone.