Nicki Gwynn-Jones has lived in Orkney for nine years and spends much of her time photographing the inland’s spectacular seabirds – especially the graceful Arctic terns that breed there in the spring and summer months.
She says: ‘Seabirds are considered by some to be the souls of the dead, but I have always believed Arctic terns are angels. These beautiful nomads have the longest migration of any living creature, and I marvel at their flight – their apparent freedom from gravity and total mastery of movement.’
‘Their spectacularly long wings allow them to throw extravagant shapes even in wind speeds of more than 40mph, buffeted and blown every which way, when I can barely hold the camera still. I have to remind myself again and again that they are perfectly built for wind and for their extreme lifestyle.’
‘During their summer sojourn in Orkney, I sit with these birds for many hours, observing them and trying to capture their essence – their flamboyance, beauty, grace and feistiness – and from time to time I am rewarded with an image that moves me. Then I know I have been granted a glimpse into their extraordinary world and their untethered spirit.’
We present a selection of Nicki’s fabulous tern photographs in our September issue (OP 321) – don’t miss it!