The northern gannet is the largest seabird in the North Atlantic, and the UK is home to TWO THIRDS of the entire world's population of them.
They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish – even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food off the island of Unst, the northernmost inhabited island in the UK.
The huge group gathered as they hunted for mackerel and herring – before returning to the sea cliffs to feed their young.
Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration.
The 41-year-old, who was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and lives in Shetland, also braved hanging off steep cliffs to get action shots.
It's fine dining... but a bit of a dive: Gannets plunge into the cold seas off the Shetlands in search of mackerel and herring suppers
By Daily Mail Reporter
26 September 2014
Daily Mail
It's always the same when you find a good place to eat – the word gets around and crowds move in.
These spectacular shots show the incredible agility of gannets – both in the air and underwater – as they go in search of a meal off the Shetland island of Unst.
They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish – even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food.
Food fight: Gannets battle for a meal in the cold North Sea waters off the coast of Shetland. It is one of the UK's greatest wildlife wonders
Dive! Dive! Dive! These pictures taken just off Unst show the birds' incredible agility beneath the waves
Hungry: They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish
Competition: They are not averse to even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food
Fish suppers: The huge group gathered as they hunted for schools of mackerel and herring in the icy waters
Expert timing: A gannet swoops in to seize a hapless fish just beneath the waves on this grey day
Difficult work: Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration
The northern gannets were photographed off Unst, the northernmost part of the UK
The huge group gathered as they hunted for mackerel and herring – before returning to the sea cliffs to feed their young.
Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration.
The 41-year-old, who was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and lives in Shetland, also braved hanging off steep cliffs to get action shots.
Feeding frenzy: Thousands of birds swarm over the area of sea where the fish have been spotted
Mine! Mine! Mine! Three birds battle over a single fish as demand for a snack heats up the cold sea
Providers: After snatching up fish from the turbulent sea, the gannets flew back to nearby cliffs
Family life: They offered the precious protein to their young, who are not yet old enough to hunt themselves
Parents: Two gannets appear to converse animatedly over how best to raise their youngster
Beauty: A long exposure of the cliffs where they nest makes it appear to be emerging from clouds
He said: ‘The scene was both exciting and phenomenal, watching them dive, hearing them hitting the water and being immersed in a sea of bubbles.’
He added: ‘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 (about 100ft).’
He explained that the gannets can swallow while submerged so they can eat more during a dive.
Read more: Gannet photos show them plunge in seas in search of mackerel and herring | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
And one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the UK is seeing these magnificent birds dive into the sea to catch fish. Northern gannets can dive from a height of almost 100ft, achieving speeds of 62mph as they strike the water.
And now, the northern gannets of Shetland, in the cold, northernmost reaches of the UK, have been photographed searching for a meal.
They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish – even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food off the island of Unst, the northernmost inhabited island in the UK.
The huge group gathered as they hunted for mackerel and herring – before returning to the sea cliffs to feed their young.
Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration.
The 41-year-old, who was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and lives in Shetland, also braved hanging off steep cliffs to get action shots.
It's fine dining... but a bit of a dive: Gannets plunge into the cold seas off the Shetlands in search of mackerel and herring suppers
Incredible scenes as thousands of birds dive bomb schools of fish
Remarkable pictures taken by award-winning Shetland photographer
Remarkable pictures taken by award-winning Shetland photographer
By Daily Mail Reporter
26 September 2014
Daily Mail
It's always the same when you find a good place to eat – the word gets around and crowds move in.
These spectacular shots show the incredible agility of gannets – both in the air and underwater – as they go in search of a meal off the Shetland island of Unst.
They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish – even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food.
Food fight: Gannets battle for a meal in the cold North Sea waters off the coast of Shetland. It is one of the UK's greatest wildlife wonders
Dive! Dive! Dive! These pictures taken just off Unst show the birds' incredible agility beneath the waves
Hungry: They lived up to their gluttonous name as hundreds plunged into the sea to spear fish
Competition: They are not averse to even tearing a catch from their rivals’ beaks during the scramble for food
Fish suppers: The huge group gathered as they hunted for schools of mackerel and herring in the icy waters
Expert timing: A gannet swoops in to seize a hapless fish just beneath the waves on this grey day
Difficult work: Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration
The northern gannets were photographed off Unst, the northernmost part of the UK
The huge group gathered as they hunted for mackerel and herring – before returning to the sea cliffs to feed their young.
Photographer and ecologist Richard Shucksmith, who braved being divebombed underwater as he took the images, said the birds hit the surface with such force he almost lost concentration.
The 41-year-old, who was the overall winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 and lives in Shetland, also braved hanging off steep cliffs to get action shots.
Feeding frenzy: Thousands of birds swarm over the area of sea where the fish have been spotted
Mine! Mine! Mine! Three birds battle over a single fish as demand for a snack heats up the cold sea
Providers: After snatching up fish from the turbulent sea, the gannets flew back to nearby cliffs
Family life: They offered the precious protein to their young, who are not yet old enough to hunt themselves
Parents: Two gannets appear to converse animatedly over how best to raise their youngster
Beauty: A long exposure of the cliffs where they nest makes it appear to be emerging from clouds
He said: ‘The scene was both exciting and phenomenal, watching them dive, hearing them hitting the water and being immersed in a sea of bubbles.’
He added: ‘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 (about 100ft).’
He explained that the gannets can swallow while submerged so they can eat more during a dive.
Read more: Gannet photos show them plunge in seas in search of mackerel and herring | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook