8. Stunning photographs of gannets diving for fish off the coast of Shetland Isles
Hundreds of gannets plunge into the sea as they attempt to spear a fish off
the coast of the Shetland Isles. The seabirds lived up to their gluttonous name
as they tore fish from their rivals' beaks during the scramble for food. The
photos were taken by photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith who
lives on the Shetland Isles.
9. The agile birds swarmed over the murky blue sea as they hunted for mackerel and herring - before resting on the cliffs to feed their young.Picture: Richard Shucksmith
10. Richard had to hang off the edge of steep cliffs to capture the colonies from above. Picture: Richard Shucksmith
11. ...And he had to ignore the birds diving dangerously close to his head as he took images while underwater. Picture: Richard Shucksmith
12. The birds gather on the cliff every year in the summer to nest and breed Picture: Richard Shucksmith
13. The photographer and ecologist said: "The scene was both exciting and phenomenal, watching them dive, hearing them hitting the water and being immersed in a
sea of bubbles.Picture: Richard Shucksmith
14. Hundreds of gannets rest on a cliff above the sea Picture: Richard Shucksmith
15. Two gannets gesture at each other with open beaks Picture: Richard Shucksmith
16. "Hundreds of gannets were circling the boat looking for the fish we were throwing over the side. Suddenly a single bird plunge dives the others see it as an
indicator and 20, 30, 40 birds are diving. Picture: Richard Shucksmith
17. "The dive itself only allows the bird to reach depths of a few metres, but they can swim very well underwater using both wings and feet for propulsion - this allows
them to pursue fish down to around 30 metres. Picture: Richard Shucksmith
19. "The two dive types are described as V-shaped - lasting only a few seconds - and U-shaped dives where the bird swims using its wings and may be submerged for
around 20 seconds. The U-shaped dive is about 50 per cent more successful at catching prey than the V- shaped dive.“ Picture: Richard Shucksmith
20. "Gannet swallow their fish under the water so they can eat more fish on that dive, to stop other gannets stealing their food and to avoid having their lunch stolen by
skuas or gulls on the surface.“ Picture: Richard Shucksmith
21. Richard, who has taken photos of the gannets every summer for the last three years, was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and has
won subsequent honors in the competition. Picture: Richard Shucksmith
23. An individual rises to the surface with its catch Picture: Richard Shucksmith
24. A gannet is capable of hitting the water at speeds of up to 60mph and will leave a telling trail of bubbles behind it . Picture: Richard Shucksmith
48. cast Gannets dive for fish in Shetland,
Photographer Richard Shucksmith
images and text credit www.
www.ecologicalphotography.co.uk
photos.uk.msn.com
www.discoverwildlife.com
www.telegraph.co.uk
www.theguardian.com
Music Jean Michel Jarre
created o.e.
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