A week or so ago I took my first trip to the Farne Islands off the Northumberland Coast and I hope it will not be my last. I have always harbored an ambition to photograph Puffins in their full courting gear. I had not realised until I got near to the Islands how small they actually are. Trying to photograph them in flight is a real challenge because they move so quickly. I arrived in Seahouses around Thursday late afternoon which gave some time to explore the costal villages of Beadnell and Bamburgh, watching the sun gradually go down over the Castle. I went with one of my Son In Laws and his younger brother and we stayed at the Bamburgh Castle hotel in Seahouses. Paul and Stephen managed to get up early in the morning at 4:00am and go to photograph the sunrise as some of the fishing boats left the harbor on their travels. I struggle first thing in the morning so I arose at 8:00am, had a lovely cooked breakfast and went off to join the boat that would take us out to the Islands. Actually the description Islands is a little misleading as all they really are is rock outcrops. We set off in the mist of an early morning heatwave so couldn’t see where we were actually going. After about 30 minutes sea birds started zipping across the boat, appearing magically out of the haze and just as quickly vanishing again. The sea was like a mill pond and perfect for observing the activity. Of course the boat was filled with photographers and twitchers, I have never seen so much expensive camera equipment! Anyway it turned out to be a perfect day, really warm with plenty to photograph and yes I did come back with the Puffin photographs I had always wanted to take. Another tick in the box! I also learnt the difference between a Shag and a Cormorant. So here are a few captures from the day, I hope you enjoy them.