“Why they’re called Seabirds” is a painting of puffins, guillemots and razorbills diving under water

In “Why they’re called Seabirds”, you see guillemots (Uria aalge), Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica), and razorbills (Alca torda) diving underwater and bobbing about on the surface. On the horizon is the distinctive shape of Bass Rock, which every summer hosts the largest colony of nesting northern gannets in the world. The main focus is on and below the waterline.

I made a painting called “Seabird Spectacular!” after a trip to Scotland in 2023. The lower section of that painting, with the birds diving underwater, was especially wonderful to imagine and even lovelier to paint. I thought it deserved a composition in it’s own right. And here it is.

It’s inspired by a moment on a boat trip to Bass Rock. I leaned over the side to watch a guillemot dive down and swim alongside the boat, just under the surface a couple of metres away. It followed the trajectory of the boat for some time. And because of the angle of the light, I could clearly see it. I was mesmerised! It made a huge visual impression on me. I have tried to express some of that thrill of watching that one bird for those few moments into my painting.

• The original painting is in watercolour on 600gsm paper, size 390 x 395mm.
• Want a print? A digital image is available for self-printing for one-off domestic use only. Read more about this option.

Want to discover seabirds for yourself?

There are hundreds of options for short tourist boat trips from ports all around the UK. For many, advanced booking is essential. Try these:

• Take a trip with Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips. They go to Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm. We have been many times!
• Head to East Lothian, and visit Bass Rock, the Isle of May, and Craigleith Island. We like Sula‘s trips which go from North Berwick harbour. And we’ve been more than once!
• Other great places for seabird viewing include The Farne Islands, Northumbria; Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire; and from Cornwall and the Scillies, there are too many boat trips to mention!