Puffins

[cazmanian_minx]

Took a walk out to the puffinry on the Caithness-Sutherland border today.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3472634663_b102e61a12.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/3472634663/)

Nesting:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3472634259_c6c076887a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/3472634259/in/photostream/)

Pairing up:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3473443042_6976dd0298.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/3473443042/in/photostream)

Click on any of them to see the rest on my Flickr account.

Apologies for the noise, I was at ISO 640-1000 to get a fast enough shutter speed for 300mm because there was no way I could have got a tripod set up where I was sitting to take these! It's only made me want a 100-400mm even more and what with the surfing starting next week I'm getting very tempted to raid my piggy bank and order one...

[Kathy@watten]

Loving the puffins! they are fab little guys aren't they?

[Kenn]

Great to see they're back, I just love sea parrots. Sat on the cliff top there so long last summer certain parts of my anatomy went numb!
Thank you for sharing and bringing back some great memories .

[Sporran]

Thanks for sharing those super pics, caz. I think puffins are so cute! :)

I remember seeing them at Holborn Head, when I was growing up.

[cazmanian_minx]

It's only made me want a 100-400mm even more and what with the surfing starting next week I'm getting very tempted to raid my piggy bank and order one...

Err, I caved, it should be arriving tomorrow :) Watch this space...

[Deemac]

Err, I caved, it should be arriving tomorrow :) Watch this space...

If your existing lens is fast enough did you consider a x1.4 or x2 convertor?

[cazmanian_minx]

If your existing lens is fast enough did you consider a x1.4 or x2 convertor?

It's a really basic Sigma (as in under £100 for a 70-300mm), it's just about fast enough without a converter, but I think losing an extra stop would probably be too much. I, um, did get the guy to discount me an x1.4 for buying them both together, so I'll hopefully be trying it all out on the surfers on Saturday!

[grumpyhippo]

Finally made it out there.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0027b-3.jpg







http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0016b.jpg

[Deemac]

Good stuff GH. I do like No.1

[wifie]

That looks ever so cute GH - thanks for sharin! :)

[Liz]

Thanks both for sharing such great photos of these lovely wee birds.

I am sad to say that I have never seen one in real life.:(

[cazmanian_minx]

A couple more from yesterday - hardly any birds about, are they all down in their burrows incubating eggs now?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/3533362892_2caa0eed9e_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/3533362892/in/photostream/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3533362596_b3e9da2d04_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/3533362596/in/photostream/)

[Mystical Potato Head]

Lovely shots CM.

[kas]

What great characters they are, and I think this location is the best around here to watch them. You would think someone had fired a machine gun into the top of the stack. Must get out there again soon.

[midgemagnet]

Great Pics, would love to see some (through a 300mm lens!) - only seen them before flying by when I've been out fishing.

Where can I find some?

[cazmanian_minx]

Where can I find some?

The one that I go to is on the Caithness/Sutherland border. Drive west past Reay and pull in at the small parking area next to the sign that says 'Welcome to Sutherland.' Walk out to the coast, either following the track just back from the parking space or crossing the little bridges by the loch with the duck hides even further back (this will take you down the other side of the gorge and gets you a bit closer, but there's no path) and you can't miss it, it's a big pointy rock just off the cliffs.

I would advise very strongly not going out there in windy weather or if it's been raining the day before - it's soggy enough after 4 straight days of sunshine! If you want to go out there with someone who really knows the area, the Rangers are doing a couple of guided walks that take it in:

Thurs 4th June
7.30pm. Puffins and More.
Walk through some spectacular scenery to the local puffinry and see what else
appears. Bring boots, warm clothing and waterproofs. No dogs.
Tel: 01847 821531 or 07748 574651.
Lay-by on the North coast Sutherland border. NC 921 645.

Wed 17th June
2pm-5pm. Puffin Along to Melvich.
View the best puffin colony on the north coast then enjoy a great coastal cliff
top walk along to Melvich Bay. Vehicle needed for return – please ring if you
can help. No dogs.
A836 Sutherland and Caithness boundary sign. NC 921 645.

Tues 28th July
3pm-4.30pm. Puffin Watch.
Join the ranger at the largest puffin breeding colony in the area to view the
antics of these popular ‘clowns of the ocean.’ Telescope provided but bring
your binoculars. No dogs.
A836 Sutherland and Caithness boundary sign. NC 921 645.

There's another puffinry at Duncansby I believe, but I've not been there.

[Deemac]

Great info CM - must go a check this out soon.

[kas]

Well worth a look Deemac. I took my mates up there this week and they were amazed. I had not been there for a few years and forgot how wonderful it is. I had some cracking photos that came out too dark as the light kept changing, and I cant wait to get back up again soon.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f170/kasm/puf3.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f170/kasm/puff5.jpg

[kas]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f170/kasm/puff4.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f170/kasm/puf.jpg

They are such great wee things, they are the funniest birds we have.

[wifie]

All these puffin pics and info is great! Thanks to all! :)

[Mystical Potato Head]

Terrific shots Kas,keep them coming.

[Deemac]

Kas, what fabulous shots. Well done. Just love your first one.

[North Light]

Great set of photographs from all of you.

[cazmanian_minx]

Fabulous shots Kas!

[kara]

finaly got out there yesterday
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whispa63/3595472948/in/photostream/

[Sporran]

I have really enjoyed looking at all the wonderful photos of these cute wee fellas! Thanks folks! :)

[Kenn]

What a poser!
Lovely picture kara.

[kara]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whispa63/3597764664/

[wifie]

Great pics Kara!

[Liz]

Kara your photos are beautiful.:D

They really are lovely wee birds.