Great Northern Diver, Friends and Foe

dbozkurt · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 04:42 PM

Got a new camera, first time in over a week I could use it because of the weather. Walked down to Stornoway Harbour, hardly a bird in sight then just round the back of the Fish Market, there were 2 Guillemots fishing, a little way a way and very bright light but I think I am right.

Then too quickly for me to get a great photo as I had to move my camera from long distance zoom to close up just by the harbour wall was 2 fishing Razorbills a first for me!

To top it all off just swimming into my vision not 20 yards from the Razorbill was a Great Northern Diver, I spent about 20 minutes trying to get a good shot, it was difficult the sun was so strong and in the wrong place and it kept diving! Here are two of the less sun damaged ones.

I then really made an effort to try and get the Diver with a fish in its mouth, I could see bubbles and pressed to get the shot in focus and then up popped the Diver with Fish, unfortunately a Gull was quicker than me! Slightly blurred, don't know who was more surprised the Diver who a second ago was just about to eat his breakfast or me!

I hope you enjoy as much as I did, not bad for 15 minutes walk around the harbour.

Regards Debbie

Tracey.A · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 05:13 PM

Love the photo of the Great northern diver and as you said not bad for a 15 minute walk!
Poor diver, didn't get the chance to enjoy his fish, his expression seems to be saying what the..............? Good action shot! I am useless at photography, so I'm quite envious

Tracey

Ida · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 05:23 PM

What an eventful 15 minutes! Lovely pics - I like the one of the diver missing out on the fish too.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 05:41 PM

Hi dbozkurt,

Great photos, I'd love to see a Diver! The red eye and intricate tight black and white stripes are quite attractive. I think the Gull is a Herring.

Take care,

Jason

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 07:02 PM

Excellent sequence of shots. Haven't seen you post in a long time- welcome back if you've been away. And yes, Jason is right about the Herring Gull.

dbozkurt · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

. Haven't seen you post in a long time- welcome back if you've been away.

Not been away, it was one of the wet winters on record up here and I just couldn't find anything to post, so felt miserable, but the sun has now come out and I feel a lot better now, so will join in the fun!

Debbie

Gill Catton · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbozkurt

Not been away, it was one of the wet winters on record up here and I just couldn't find anything to post, so felt miserable, but the sun has now come out and I feel a lot better now, so will join in the fun!

Debbie

Oh soo glad to see you back!!! and As ever I am very very jealous of the kind of wildlife you see in a fifteen minute walk!!! Still trying to persuade the other half into 18 months or so on Benbecula!!!

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

...And yes, Jason is right about the Herring Gull.

I seem to be making a habit of it! It won't last... Welcome back Debs!

aeshna5 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbozkurt

Not been away, it was one of the wet winters on record up here and I just couldn't find anything to post, so felt miserable, but the sun has now come out and I feel a lot better now, so will join in the fun!

Debbie

Pleased you're feeling better + look forward to seeing more wonderful photos of wildlife I rarely see being in the south.

dunlin · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 07:55 AM

Sounds like you had a great day out debbie. Ive only been to scotland twice the first time i was fishing on loch tummel and it snowed for four days the second time it rained all week, but it is a fantastic place to visit. Hopefully the next time i go ill get some nice weather, third time lucky.
regards mark

rlchew · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 10:13 AM

Welcome back Debs.

Yes .... what a good sighting for a quick visit to the harbour.

Down here we only occasionally see GNDs in winter in their grey/white plumage but I have seen summer plumaged birds up in northern Scotland several times. They are just stunning.

Richard

Bub-les · #12 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 10:21 AM

Love the photos an interesting walk.
Look forward to the next batch
Barbara

Pete Collins · #13 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 10:45 AM

Welcome back! Thanks for sharing those photos - the one of the gull taking the Diver's breakfast is a great shot!

I've always wanted to see a Great Northern Diver since reading the children's book "Great Northern?" by Arthur Ransome. So far the only one I've seen was a juvenile in winter plumage, and that was at quite a distance.

dbozkurt · #14 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

I've always wanted to see a Great Northern Diver since reading the children's book "Great Northern?" by Arthur Ransome. So far the only one I've seen was a juvenile in winter plumage, and that was at quite a distance.

I've really only been interest in birds and photography since I came up to live on the island a couple of years ago, I didn't realise I was so spoilt, didn't know you couldn't see these down south

I shall not take for granted again!

Not good weather today, so stayed in and did bm chores behind closed doors, Sabbath in Stornoway. Going to try the Harbour tomorrow morning in the way to work.

Debs

PS Got woken up by a Wren in my bedroom yesterday morning, how many of you can say that!