988-87 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating a male lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) fish, also known as a sea hen or scarclagger. Hebrides, Scotland

988-34 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-223 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-4 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Hebrides, Scotland

988-232 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-61 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating a large crab. Large fish and crabs are difficult to constrain and eat in the water so are often brought ashore. Otters will sometimes swim realtively long distances in order to do so. Hebrides, Scotland

988-117 - Common seal (Phoca vitulina). Hebrides, Scotland

988-186 - Supplying salmon farm. Hebrides, UK.

988-21 - Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The west coast of Scotland remains a stronghold for the porpoise where it is far less likely to fall victim to fishery bycatch. Hebrides, Scotland

988-189 - Captive killer whale (Orcinus orca). Captive orca such as this one in Marineland, Antibes, seem to fare less well than their wild counterparts. Antibes, France

988-144 - Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) on old pier. Shags use the old pier at Salen. Isle of Mull, throughout the year from which to forage in the Sound of Mull. Hebrides, Scotland

988-131 - Bridled guillemot (Uria aalge). The 'bridle' running back from the eye is simply a colour variation. Hebrides, Scotland

988-28 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-40 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) foraging in and among the seaweed. Otters on Scotland's west coast and islands have adapted well to making a living in the marine environment. Hebrides, Scotland

988-46 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland

988-177 - Salmon fish farm. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-181 - Longliners. Hebrides, UK.

988-191 - Disentangling juvenile gannet (Sula sula). Marine debris, possibly discarded fishing gear, made it impossible for this gannet to feed. Crew and clients on whale-watch boat come to its aid. Gannet released successfully. Hebrides, Scotland

988-209 - Duart Castle and the Lismore lighthouse. the castle has been the home of the Clan Maclean since the 14th century. Isle of Mull, Scotland

988-192 - Marine wildlife-watching boat. Encounter with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Hebrides, Scotland

988-86 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating fish, long-spined bullhead (Taurulus bubalis). Hebrides, Scotland

988-5 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Bottlenose dolphins occasionally visit Tobermory Bay during the summer. Hebrides, Scotland

988-239 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-242 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-240 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-179 - Salmon fish farm. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-73 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland.

988-184 - Helicopter supplying salmon farm. Hebrides, UK.

988-16 - Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Hebrides, Scotland.

988-165 - Research boat. "Silurian" is the research boat of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, based in Tobermory, Isle of Mull. Hebrides, Scotland

988-75 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland.

988-195 - Dramatic sky. Hebrides, Scotland

988-226 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-136 - Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) at nest site. Hebrides, Scotland

988-29 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-196 - Freshwater loch. Black Mount by Rannoch Moor near Glencoe, Scotland.

988-19 - Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Hebrides, Scotland

988-10 - Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus truncatus). Hebrides, UK.

988-67 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) mother and cub. Cubs often have darker fur than their mothers and for the first few months are much more 'buoyant' in the water. Hebrides, Scotland

988-25 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-206 - Cairns of Coll, Hebrides, Scotland

988-166 - Seal rescue. Rescuers administer first aid to young common seal pup (Phoca vitulina). Hebrides, Scotland

988-235 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-59 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting on seaweed. Otters spend a great deal of time resting ashore, usually near to the water's edge. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Visits ashore may also be to find fresh water to drink. Hebrides, Scotland

988-32 - Eurasian river otters (Lutra lutra) by Duart castle. Duart Castle has been the home of the Clan Maclean since the 14th century. Isle of Mull, Scotland

988-175 - Salmon fish farm. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-109 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Otters in western Scotland have adapted well to life in a marine environment, though proximity to sources of fresh water is essential. Hebrides, Scotland

988-220 - Sun setting behind the Burg Wilderness on Mull (at left), an area owned and conserved by the National Trust for Scotland. Hebrides, Scotland

988-2 - Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Bottlenose dolphins make several visits every year to Tobermory Bay. Hebrides, Scotland

988-65 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating a male lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) fish, also known as a sea hen or scarclagger. Hebrides, Scotland

988-69 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-80 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland

988-92 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating flatfish. Hebrides, Scotland

988-82 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting on seaweed. Otters spend a great deal of time resting ashore, usually near to the water's edge. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Visits ashore may also be to find fresh water to drink. Hebrides, Scotland

988-99 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) sprainting on high point. The spraint is a method of marking territory and high points are a favoured location, even those washed by tides.

988-219 - Bridge over tidal river at head of sea loch, Loch Don. Hebrides, Scotland

988-216 - Great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) and shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) sharing a rock. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-77 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) foraging in and among the seaweed. Otters on Scotland's west coast and islands have adapted well to making a living in the marine environment. Hebrides, Scotland

988-18 - Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Hebrides, Scotland

988-58 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting on seaweed. Otters spend a great deal of time resting ashore, usually near to the water's edge. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Visits ashore may also be to find fresh water to drink. Hebrides, Scotland

988-190 - Disentangling juvenile gannet (Sula sula). Marine debris, possibly discarded fishing gear, made it impossible for this gannet to feed. Crew and clients on whale-watch boat come to its aid. Gannet released successfully. Hebrides, Scotland

988-54 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland

988-148 - Gull silhouette, Tobermory Bay. Hebrides, Scotland

988-14 - Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Hebrides, Scotland.

988-22 - Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). A mother and calf pair, the mother showing that photo id of porpoises may well be possible. Hebrides, Scotland

988-141 - Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) on old pier. Shags use the old pier at Salen. Isle of Mull, throughout the year from which to forage in the Sound of Mull. Hebrides, Scotland

988-157 - Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Duart Castle in background. Hebrides, Scotland

988-20 - Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The west coast of Scotland remains a stronghold for the porpoise where it is far less likely to fall victim to fishery bycatch. Hebrides, Scotland

988-30 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-105 - Eurasian river otters (Lutra lutra) resting. Otters take regular breaks during their foraging activities, often choosing high points or islets just offshore in order to sleep, preen and play. Hebrides, Scotland

988-120 - Wild iris (). Unlike variants grown outwith the wild, reportedly all wild irises are yellow in colour. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-140 - Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) on old pier. Shags use the old pier at Salen. Isle of Mull, throughout the year from which to forage in the Sound of Mull. Hebrides, Scotland

988-241 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-133 - Guillemot (Uria aalge) and razorbill (Alca torda) colonies on Harp Rock, Lunga. Dutchman's Cap in background. Hebrides, Scotland

988-51 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland

988-36 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-203 - Loch Cuin. Hebrides, Scotland

988-151 - Mute swan (Cygnus olor) at sea. Most people might associate swans with a freshwater environment but they can also be seen in a marine setting. Hebrides, Scotland

988-210 - Ice sheets left 'high and dry' by retreating tidal River Aros. Hebrides, Scotland

988-27 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Hebrides, Scotland

988-53 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland

988-91 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) having caught Greater spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The otter took only the innards of the dogfish by opening a short section of skin behind the pectoral fin (see images under 'Greater spotted dogfish'). Hebrides, Scotland (RR)

988-231 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-224 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-174 - Salmon fish farm. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-163 - House Martin (Delichon urbica) collecting mud for nest building. Hebrides, Scotland

988-229 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-115 - American mink (Mustela vison). Non-native species in the UK considered a threat to ground-nesting birds and water voles in particular. Widespread as a result of escapes from fur farms since the 1950s. Hebrides, Scotland

988-204 - Heather at Loch Cuin. Hebrides, Scotland

988-56 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting on seaweed. Otters spend a great deal of time resting ashore, usually near to the water's edge. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Visits ashore may also be to find fresh water to drink. Hebrides, Scotland

988-15 - Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Hebrides, Scotland.

988-139 - Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) on old pier. Shags use the old pier at Salen. Isle of Mull, throughout the year from which to forage in the Sound of Mull. Hebrides, Scotland

988-64 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating fish, long-spined bullhead (Taurulus bubalis). Hebrides, Scotland

988-88 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) mother and cub resting in seaweed. Hebrides, Scotland

988-160 - Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) on rocky marine foreshore. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-227 - Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tobermory Bay - home of Balamory TV show. This group of dolphins are resident in the Hebrides but are hard to find and not well understood. They rarely come into the this harbour but photographer Nic Davies was ready with his camera and kayak to get these great, low angle shots.

988-72 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) in the marine environment to which they have adapted so successfully. Hebrides, Scotland.

988-125 - Horned puffin (Fratercula arctica). Hebrides, Scotland

988-193 - Whale-watch vessel, "Alpha Beta". Sea Life surveys were the first organisation to understand the potential for whale-watching in the West of Scotland. Hebrides, Scotland

988-78 - Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) resting in the seaweed and rocks. Otters spend a great deal of time resting, usually close to the water's edge or on rocks just offshore. This time is spent sleeping and preening fur etc. Notice the recent injuries sustained by this otter around the head and neck area. Hebrides, Scotland