The puffin numbers were down but the gannets have recovered from avian flu and were in abundance, as were the guillemots and razorbills. The gannets that had recovered from avian flu have black eyes instead of blue. Nature's works are extraordinary.
Yes, I heard tha about gannets' eyes - extraordinary! The Great Skuas here took a real ponding from avian flu. I've only seen one this year. But yes, the guillemots and razorbills are back in force, and it looks like kittiwakes are returning after a decline in recent years. A few big ravens patrolling the cliffs. I've not heard how the gannet colony at Noup Head is faring, but I did see one or two.
Sam, you write as well as you paint. The WW2 gun batteries you described reminded me of my visit to Bempton Cliffs at Bridlington this last weekend to see the thousands of nesting seabirds at this special RSPB reserve - puffins, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes. As my son and grandson approached the reserve we saw perched on a headland crumbling gun emplacements, a reminder of the past and our uncertain future. The irony did not escape us that this wild North Sea cliff face once had a more deadly purpose.
Yes it sounds like a similar kind of place. Here's hoping the seabirds have a better nesting season this year. The arctic terns are busy, but they're at another spot.
I needed to read this, Sam. With everything that's happening around the world, it can be so hard not to feel guilty when experiencing joy, while, at time, the beauty we do find can throw the horrow into stark relief. Still, as you say so beautifully, we need to focus in what we want to bring into the world. Find the beauty and share it best we can. Thank you 💕
Hello again, Samantha. I don’t have any distinct recall of you blending Orkanian spaces and places with contemporary world affairs. Hearing you do so is relevant to all reflecting on world events and possible horrifying outcomes. I celebrate your grasping the slippery eel of important world events and speaking your mind.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and inspiring words. My theme is to find beauty in the everyday. It is sometimes the only thing that gets me through the day.
The puffin numbers were down but the gannets have recovered from avian flu and were in abundance, as were the guillemots and razorbills. The gannets that had recovered from avian flu have black eyes instead of blue. Nature's works are extraordinary.
Yes, I heard tha about gannets' eyes - extraordinary! The Great Skuas here took a real ponding from avian flu. I've only seen one this year. But yes, the guillemots and razorbills are back in force, and it looks like kittiwakes are returning after a decline in recent years. A few big ravens patrolling the cliffs. I've not heard how the gannet colony at Noup Head is faring, but I did see one or two.
Sam, you write as well as you paint. The WW2 gun batteries you described reminded me of my visit to Bempton Cliffs at Bridlington this last weekend to see the thousands of nesting seabirds at this special RSPB reserve - puffins, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes. As my son and grandson approached the reserve we saw perched on a headland crumbling gun emplacements, a reminder of the past and our uncertain future. The irony did not escape us that this wild North Sea cliff face once had a more deadly purpose.
Yes it sounds like a similar kind of place. Here's hoping the seabirds have a better nesting season this year. The arctic terns are busy, but they're at another spot.
I needed to read this, Sam. With everything that's happening around the world, it can be so hard not to feel guilty when experiencing joy, while, at time, the beauty we do find can throw the horrow into stark relief. Still, as you say so beautifully, we need to focus in what we want to bring into the world. Find the beauty and share it best we can. Thank you 💕
Thank you, Angie. It isn't easy, sometimes. But it is necessary. It's survival. As you know. Here's to beauty, however small, fragile and fleeting.
Apologies for all the typos - I'm so bad at typing on my phone 🙄
Lovely writing and images as always, Samantha. Beautiful exploration of joy through landscape and history. Thank you 🩷
Thank you Caroline. Landscapes are so rich with histories...
Lovely photographs, and wise words appropriate to what they show....
Best Wishes - Dave
Thank you Dave! That's very kind of you to say!
Hello again, Samantha. I don’t have any distinct recall of you blending Orkanian spaces and places with contemporary world affairs. Hearing you do so is relevant to all reflecting on world events and possible horrifying outcomes. I celebrate your grasping the slippery eel of important world events and speaking your mind.
Thank you, as always, Gary, for your warm appreciation!
You can always count on my warm appreciation, even in the scant light of Orkney winters.
Thank you Samantha Clark. Very touching...all of it.
Thank you Katharine!
Thank you for this celebration
Thank you Rena, I'm so glad this post resonated for you.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and inspiring words. My theme is to find beauty in the everyday. It is sometimes the only thing that gets me through the day.