Ythan estuary, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire

A second trip to the Ythan Estuary in the hope I'd get better light to photograph the very fast and erratic flying Terns, some success but the light wasn't as good as forecast but I did get some better shots.

A Little Tern, one of very few around at high tide

Another Little Tern with an out of focus seal in the background

Sandwich Tern just about to close its wings as it hits the water. I had many photos of splashes while trying to get Terns diving!

Sandwich Tern, black beak with a yellow tip, the noisy tern

I'll risk saying this one is an Arctic Tern with a red beak and translucent feathers on the"hand" of its wing

I'm sure this one is a Common Tern with the black tip to its beak

Dunlin in breeding plumage

House Martin, probably nesting on a nearby boathouse

Sand Martin, one of a small colony nesting in the eroded sand dunes

The King Eider Drake, unfortunately asleep for the duration

These Canada Geese were seen at Montrose Basin on the way home

This Grey Seal came so close to me as I stood on the water line that I put the camera down to be sure it didn't actually touch me, it probably came within six feet

More Common Seals showing a variety of different colouring

One of many Grey Seals constantly cruising the estuary at high tide

The main group of seals, most Grey but with a small number of Common on the fringes