The annual trip

Joy and I had our annual trip out to Staffa on a nice sunny day. Not too many Common Seals on the way out but there always seems to one that will pose for a photo.

A couple of RT Diver were seen and quite a few GN Diver but nothing that exciting until a Great Skua flew past the back of the boat.

There were plenty of Manx Shearwater sitting around on the sea...

...and we saw the Royal Navy HMS Exploit training patrol vessel out on an exercise.

All the usual stuff was seen around Staffa - Black Guillemot, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Twite on Staffa itself and plenty of Shag.

The Puffins were still being a bit shy so they didn't come ashore but we got good views all the same.

Staffa again.

Wednesday the weather turned and a trip to Staffa was on the cards as my sister and brother-in-law were visiting. The skies were almost clear on the way out and there were Common Seals were basking.

There were rafts of Manx Shearwaters on the way out and a few Shags on Staffa to greet us.

We ventured round to the cave first before heading up for the Puffins. There were plenty of birds on the water but a patrolling Great Skua kept them there for a while. I busied myself with the Twite that were flying around and the Bluebells were eyecatching too.

Just before we were due to leave the Puffins started to come ashore.

I had another chance with the Manx Shearwaters on the way back to Iona and managed to get a half decent shot.