Photographer Richard Shucksmith captured stunning photographs of hundreds of gannets diving from cliffs in the Shetland Isles to catch fish in the sea below. The gannets plunged into the water and fought over fish, tearing them from each other's beaks. To get the photos, Shucksmith had to hang off cliffs and ignore birds diving near him while underwater. He has photographed the gannet colonies in the summer for three years.

2. Photographer Richard Shucksmith
Gannets dive for fish in Shetland

8. Stunning photographs of gannets diving for fish off the coast of Shetland Isles
Hundreds of gannets plunge into the sea as they attempt to spear a fish off
the coast of the Shetland Isles. The seabirds lived up to their gluttonous name
as they tore fish from their rivals' beaks during the scramble for food. The
photos were taken by photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith who
lives on the Shetland Isles.

9. The agile birds swarmed over the murky blue sea as they hunted for mackerel and herring - before resting on the cliffs to feed their young.Picture: Richard Shucksmith

10. Richard had to hang off the edge of steep cliffs to capture the colonies from above. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

11. ...And he had to ignore the birds diving dangerously close to his head as he took images while underwater. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

12. The birds gather on the cliff every year in the summer to nest and breed Picture: Richard Shucksmith

13. The photographer and ecologist said: "The scene was both exciting and phenomenal, watching them dive, hearing them hitting the water and being immersed in a
sea of bubbles.Picture: Richard Shucksmith

14. Hundreds of gannets rest on a cliff above the sea Picture: Richard Shucksmith

15. Two gannets gesture at each other with open beaks Picture: Richard Shucksmith

16. "Hundreds of gannets were circling the boat looking for the fish we were throwing over the side. Suddenly a single bird plunge dives the others see it as an
indicator and 20, 30, 40 birds are diving. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

17. "The dive itself only allows the bird to reach depths of a few metres, but they can swim very well underwater using both wings and feet for propulsion - this allows
them to pursue fish down to around 30 metres. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

18. Three gannets fight for a fish Picture: Richard Shucksmith

19. "The two dive types are described as V-shaped - lasting only a few seconds - and U-shaped dives where the bird swims using its wings and may be submerged for
around 20 seconds. The U-shaped dive is about 50 per cent more successful at catching prey than the V- shaped dive.“ Picture: Richard Shucksmith

20. "Gannet swallow their fish under the water so they can eat more fish on that dive, to stop other gannets stealing their food and to avoid having their lunch stolen by
skuas or gulls on the surface.“ Picture: Richard Shucksmith

21. Richard, who has taken photos of the gannets every summer for the last three years, was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and has
won subsequent honors in the competition. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

22. Leaving the water Picture: Richard Shucksmith

23. An individual rises to the surface with its catch Picture: Richard Shucksmith

24. A gannet is capable of hitting the water at speeds of up to 60mph and will leave a telling trail of bubbles behind it . Picture: Richard Shucksmith

25. Nesting gannets (Morus bassanus) and swirling seas Picture: Richard Shucksmith

26. Hermaness Shetland, mid summer night. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

27. Gannet and its tiny chick Picture: Richard Shucksmith

28. Gannets (Morus bassanus) on the cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

29. Gann ets (Morus bassanus) on the
cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard
Shucksmith

30. Gannets greeting each other Hermaness Shetland. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

31. Gannets (Morus bassanus) in flight. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

32. Great Skua chasing Gannets to make the Gannet regurgitate. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

33. Space is at a premium, conflict with the neighbour. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

34. Fighting for space. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

35. Gannets (Morus bassanus)preening on the cliffs of Noss. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

36. Gannets greeting each other Hermaness Shetland. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

37. Gannets (Morus bassanus) flying. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

38. Gannets protecting their nest from other Gannets. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

39. Gannets (Morus bassanus) sat on sea stac at sunrise. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

40. Gannets (Morus bassanus) swirling round the cliff Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

41. Gannets (Morus bassanus) Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

42. Gannets (Morus bassanus) Hermaness, Shetland Isles. Picture: Richard Shucksmith

47. end

48. cast Gannets dive for fish in Shetland,
Photographer Richard Shucksmith
images and text credit www.
www.ecologicalphotography.co.uk
photos.uk.msn.com
www.discoverwildlife.com
www.telegraph.co.uk
www.theguardian.com
Music Jean Michel Jarre
created o.e.
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