Fair Isle in the Shetlands PUFFINS!!!!

 6/30 Fair Isle in the Shetlands

Fair Isle Puffins; 

Finally last night the body said you need sleep and sleep we did. This worked out well because we knew our Zodiac time was 1030. So a leisurely breakfast was had as we shared a table with a couple from Australia.

The weather is overcast and there is a bit of rain and a mist which comes in and out. 



After breakfast we prepared for the days outing. Then we loaded into a zodiac and made our way to shore. 

 

 

The ornithologist on board directed us to the puffin burrow nesting area. This hike took us up and over a hill to where the puffins were.

 

 

They were readly available for photos, but they were buggers to photo in flight. After a couple of hours of taking photos we made our way slowly back to the landing area. 

 

 



Puffins are the penguins of the North. In that no matter how many photos one takes, the second another appears you catch yourself clicking away. 



Interesting tidbits about Fair Isle is there are only 46 residents and probably more sheep and plenty more species of birds. We did see guillemot, kittiwakes, skuas and more. Yet the puffins stole the day. Many of these photos will be posted to my website ASAP.  But not that ASAP :)    

Back on this ship we had a great lunch and tonight will be a photo lecture. 

Now to edit photos. 

We attended a very nice photo presentation. I always enjoy these as there is always something to learn or be reminded about. 

 



Chatted with one of the onboard scientists and will be keep an eye out for her activities and talks. 

Dinner was in Freidheim as the menu in Aune was not to our liking. We enjoyed a great meal as well it is lighter. 

We did have waffles for desert. 

Our excursion tomorrow is a walking tour of Kirkwall. Our group will not leave until 1330. We will probably strike out on our own again, as it is a return visit. Will will visit the Cathedral and Museum and probably the RNLI station. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) as they have fun items and a great cause to support. 



Weather tomorrow looks more typical with a 90% chance of rain.