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The enigmatic island of Skomer off the Pembrokeshire coastline comes alive in the summer. I recently spent three nights on the island guiding for the tour company, NaturesLens. The main draw to this small corner of Welsh paradise in summertime are the charismatic Puffins. These quirky small dumpy sea birds are full of character and it’s hard not to be drawn in to their own little world. The iconic views of them standing with lots of sand eels held in their beaks are abundant at this time of year as they’re busy feeding young. Also, they’re not afraid of humans as there’s no ground predators on the island so happily walk past your feet allowing some fabulous up close and personal views. The real benefit of staying over on the island rather than a day trip is the magical light that bathes the landscape in golden tones during dawn and dusk. It’s a real wildlife escape only a stones throw from the mainland. All in all we had a fantastic group, who all enjoyed it thoroughly and got some great shots. I’ll leave the words now for a few shots of mine from the tour.

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) silhouetted on a rock at sunset Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) roosting on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) preens it wings on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) comes into land on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) calls on a rock, Skomer Island. Pembrokeshire

 

Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) bobbing around in north haven, Skomer Island

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) bobbing about on the water near Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) bobbing about on the water near Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) in flight with sand eels. Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) calls with beak wide open. Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) in flight with sand eels. Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) preens its wings shot through flora, Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) at the Wick, Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) with sand eels at sunset. Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) flaps its wings at sunset on the Wick, Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

 

Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica) comes into land on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

On our last evening on the island there were good reports of Aurora visible down far southern Britain, while I didn’t get anything outstanding I did however manage to capture the Milky Way from Skomer Island looking across to Skokholm Island – something I’ve wanted to get for years!

Aurora from Skomer Island – 23rd June 2015

Meteor caught in the sky with Milky Way streaking over Skokholm Island photographed from Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales

 

I’m off over the island again tomorrow to welcome our next group of clients – if you’d like to join us on next years tours, please email NaturesLens by clicking here to have your name put down on the waiting list. Thanks!

As always, prints of all images available to purchase through this website – check out the category pages at the top of the page to see more! Thanks

 

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