Risso's Dolphins

During the last week a pod of 8 to10 Risso's Dolphins have been feeding off shore of Skellig Michael Island. I got a few shots of a mother and calf that came close to the south side of the island last Wednesday evening. The mother has lots of what looks like propeller scaring on her dorsal fin and back. Someone suggested it might be attacks from giant squid but I'm not convinced.

 

Mother Risso's Dolphin John N Murphy

 Calf and mother Risso's Dolphins John N Murphy

 Calf Risso's Dolphin John N Murphy

Risso's Dolphins John N Murphy

 

 

Puffin Season

Seabirds seem to have had a good breeding season this year with young birds departing the nest early than in previous years.  I was back on the Skellig Michael Island during the week and the Puffins have done well with hundreds of young birds out and about departing the nest burrows consistently all week long.

Adult Puffin will a bill full of Sand Eels and sprat John N Murphy

 Puffins playing with a flower stem John N Murphy

Puffins bill tapping John N Murphy

 Juvenile Puffin with adult John N Murphy

  Young Puffin emerging from burrow John N Murphy

 A young Puffin with grass ticks over its eyes John N Murphy

 Puffin in flight and birds at sea John N Murphy