Peregrine!

Well, ok, I didn't manage to get a photo of Peregrine Falcon but I did think I had for a moment. To be fair, if I'd looked hard enough at the photo I'd have easily spotted that it wasn't a falcon.

Thankfully, someone (Mr. P) brought me to my senses and informed me that my image was actually one of an Arctic Skua.
That's perfectly ok because an Arctic Skua is on my Tough Challenge list :)

This photo was taken on Orkney between Skara Brae Neolithic site, at Bay of Skaill, and Skaill House.

Same bird, enlarged and cropped for identification purposes.

Also on the list is a Gannet. I was reading on the ferry back from Orkney when I looked up to see a Gannet flying right next to my window. By the time I got my camera out the Gannet took its blue face far away from me so the photo doesn't show the bird to its full potential. It shouldn't be too hard to get another photo of this type of bird, though.

Same image, enlarged and cropped for identification (not as good quality but you can see its blue face and yellow head).

Orkney!

All going well, my disclosure will come through clean and I will be making my way to Orkney to work for 3 months *hugest smiley face*.

I'm really excited by the photographic opportunities this promises. Not least, the Orkney Vole!!! I have 3 months to find the little blighter and I'll be searching for it every day that I'm off. Along with seals, dolphins, whales, red-throated divers etc.

Fingers crossed I am successful because I am still determined to complete my challenge in 2011.

Aside from the wildlife on Orkney there are so many historical sites to visit and photograph. My favourite so far has been the Ring O'Brodgar, erected around 3000BC (it is believed). The weather was terrible when I was there so my efforts to photograph whilst the wind and rain was blowing me over were not the best. However, I will be returning to this spot whenever there is a lovely sunset to, hopefully, capture a stunning image.