Avian Action

Northern Gannets are usually portrayed in a flattering, bright mood. I have plenty of such images, I like them, but Scotland's notorious changeable weather offers plenty of opportunities for other types of images as well. Here I looked to portray a more sinister looking bird against a dark unsettled sea.

Photographed on the North Sea coast of Scotland.

Ok, I admit, before I got into wildlife photography I would not have believed a bird like this could be real. Blue bill, emerald green eyes, bright red throat and belly? Yeah right!

The Broadbills of Asia are something else. They live in the dense canopies of wet forests, allowing them to hide despite their brightly coloured plumage. I tracked this one down in Thailand.

True to its name, this common Common Chaffinch proves that subdued colors can be just as appealing as vibrant ones. Blending well with the background better protects it from predators.

Photographed in the Scottish highlands.

Not just a pretty bird, the Hyacinth Macaw also happens to be to largest parrot in the world, measuring 3 ft 3 in from head to tail.

Its survival in the wild looked bleak, with habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade taking their toll. Although still listed as vulnerable, the construction of suitably sized nest boxes and cooperation of local land owners now gives this species a fighting chance.

I photographed this individual in the Pantanal in Brazil, where it allowed me to approach quite closely.