This photo was taken on our last day on Westray. We were on out way to the ferry, but had time to spare and the weather was good, so we visited Castle o' Burrian, well known for its Puffins... We also heard 3 corncrakes at the same location (all calling over each other).

Having seen some of the puffins and thought I had the best shots I was going to get of them, we had wandered along the coast to Stanger Head where I spotted some really nice Sea Campion I wanted to photo.

So standing on the very edge of the cliff (35m drop) using the sea as an OOF BG for the flower shot, I was busily taking shots of the Sea Campion when my husband threw a pebble at me to get my attention. (I am used to this approach when we are out - it has allowed me to get some wonderful film shots of an otter in the past - like all of us, I can get a little carried away with the taking of the shot). Pointing to a position between me and the flower (max 2.5m), he had watched a puffin had come in and landed so close to me that I could not focus the 300mm lens on it... I actually had to (very carefully) take 2 steps back away from the puffin before I could take these shots.

It did not seem in the slightest bit bothered by the fact I was there and stayed for about 5mins before it flew off again. Then I was able to look around and get back away from the cliff edge and the 35m drop I was standing on.

Ref: img 4198

Location: Westray, Orkney Isles, Scotland

Photographer: Emma Taylor