gannets dive for fish in shetland, photographer richard shucksmith

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Page 1: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith
Page 2: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets dive for fish in Shetland

Page 3: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith
Page 4: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith
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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.

Page 9: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

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

Page 10: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Richard had to hang off the edge of steep cliffs to capture the colonies from above. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 11: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

...And he had to ignore the birds diving dangerously close to his head as he took images while underwater. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 12: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

The birds gather on the cliff every year in the summer to nest and breed Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 13: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

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

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Hundreds of gannets rest on a cliff above the sea Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 15: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Two gannets gesture at each other with open beaks Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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"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

Page 17: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

"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

Page 18: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Three gannets fight for a fish Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 19: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

"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

Page 20: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

"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

Page 21: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

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

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Leaving the water Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 23: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

An individual rises to the surface with its catch Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 24: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

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

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Nesting gannets (Morus bassanus) and swirling seas Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 26: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Hermaness Shetland, mid summer night. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannet and its tiny chick Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) on the cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 29: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets (Morus bassanus) on the cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets greeting each other Hermaness Shetland. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) in flight. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Great Skua chasing Gannets to make the Gannet regurgitate. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Space is at a premium, conflict with the neighbour. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Fighting for space. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 35: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets (Morus bassanus)preening on the cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 36: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets greeting each other Hermaness Shetland. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) flying. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 38: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets protecting their nest from other Gannets. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

Page 39: Gannets dive for fish in Shetland, Photographer Richard Shucksmith

Gannets (Morus bassanus) sat on sea stac at sunrise. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) swirling round the cliff Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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Gannets (Morus bassanus) Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

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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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