Dolphins!

This Saturday, courtesy of Sonia's friend Caroline and the Seawatch Foundation, some friends and I went on a dolphin-spotting cruise from Stonehaven to Aberdeen and back. From a nice and warm sunny morning at Stonehaven, we were soon chilled to the bone as we moved northwards against the wind and into the grey of the Aberdeen haar. Also, after two and a half hours, despite happy spottings of numerous seals, puffins and guillemots, Flipper had resolutely failed to show. However, a call from Claire signalled our first two of the day just outside Aberdeen harbour. We were happy to have seen this shy pair, but they pailed in comparison to the displays we were to soon receive on our way back to Stoney; two separate groups of a half-dozen or so dolphins travelling north as they fed, and the second group complete with inquisitive and very cute calf!


Very keen observers at the start!


Stonehaven from the sea:


The sun makes a welcomed return on the way back:



They seek them here, they seek them there...


These birds got us curious & 2 porpoises were briefly seen:


And here they come, the main attractions:


A graceful rise to the surface:


Better in motion:


But not a patch on being there:


Finally, a lone puffin makes its escape: