Although Oystercatchers are quite common birds, for me they are without a doubt one of my favourite birds. I'm aware of them ever since I was a kid and during my nature rambles as a young boy I often saw the grown ups as well as the fluffy Oystercatcher chicks. For me their bright black and white feathers and red beak and feet and typical sound represent that typical coastal feeling. Islay has many Oystercatchers and they can be easily spotted on the various coastal areas, sometimes alone and sometimes in large groups.

Wikipedia writes "the Oystercatchers are a group of waders and they are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar regions and some tropical regions of Africa and South East Asia. The name oystercatcher was coined by Mark Catesby in 1731 as a common name for the North American species H. palliatus, described as eating oysters. Yarrell in 1843 established this as the preferred term, replacing the older name Sea Pie."

Thanks to my new Canon 100-400mm lens I was finally able to take some close-up pictures. The most of them are taken at Claggain Bay and near the Sound of Islay. Below are a few of my first proper attempts into photographing Islay's wildlife from up close.

Tag: wildlife birds oystercatcher photography