Capturing England's Wildlife! Showcasing the beauty of England's fauna

A photostory illustrating the wildlife of England wonderfully captured through the eyes of an explorer.

- HELAINE CADMAN

THE ATTRACTION OF GANNETS

England is not noted for its wildlife spectacles, but there are a few very special sights on the island. For me, the most impressive and completely overwhelming is the Northern Gannet colony at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast. Arriving at the cliffs, along a mundane road to the car park, there is no hint of the wild scenes a short walk past the visitor centre. The weather can be capricious; it is often terribly windy and cold even in mid-summer. Tripods blow over; holding any camera still is a real challenge. With luck, the wind drops later in the afternoon, allowing easier and more comfortable viewing.

At the cliffs, there is not necessarily a need for massive lenses. Many species are close; they can be almost within touching distance. Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes populate the cliffs. However, it is the Northern Gannet that dominates the steep edges and the sky.