Multi day walks offer unrivalled hiking experience for the entire family along the diverse and scenic Welsh coastline. Lush greenery and variety of wild flowers are a common sight here. But if you would rather wish to make a day out even more special and experience some of the wildlife here, get yourself to Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire. The island gives you the opportunity to get close to wild Atlantic puffins during spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 100
Shutter Speed: 1/200 Aperture: f/5
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/500 Aperture: f/4.2
The pebble beach of Martin's Haven is the embarkation point for all boats to Skomer Island. The nearest pub, coffee shop, campsites and home stays are in Marloes village. There is a National Trust car park here at Martin's Haven, which is free for members and subject to £6 local charge for non-members payable in cash only. Lockley Lodge, a few minutes away from the car park, is the getaway to the puffin paradise and where all check-in for the boat trip. Tickets are pre-booked online or over the phone and include a landing on Skomer island (prices from £40 per person).
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/500 Aperture: f/3.6
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5
There is accommodation on the island ,but should you wish you can also volunteer for a week and get it for free and spend precious time on Skomer island admiring nature at its best including the Atlantic puffin colony.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5
The puffins are part of the auk family with black upper parts, dusky white faces orange legs flattened red blue and yellow marked bills. They are true seabirds which only come ashore during the breeding season. The puffins breed in colonies and nest in borrows on grassy sloping cliffs.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/4.8
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5
At the start of July the baby puffins in all shades of grey, black and white come out of the burrows to stretch wings and prepare for flying. The adult puffins spend the summer catching fish and feeding it to their hungry chicks. If you stay at a safe distance you are able to watch the puffins move around, investigate burrows, meet and greet, fight and even pose for their photos taken.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5
I hope now you can't wait to get this close to such gorgeous puffins but you can't just click your fingers and teleport yourself to a puffin breeding area. However you certainly can click on one of the link here and watch the Puffin Colony on Skomer island live! If you look at the cameras at dawn or dusk you will also see cute bunnies. You can even look into a Puffin Burrow. So enjoy the show and don't forget to be nice to your new friends, smile and say hello.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/400 Aperture: f/5
Tasty food of course awaits you here in Pembrokeshire after a busy day island hopping. Opt for lobster or lamb, both traditional Welsh specialities which are surprisingly cheap (main courses on the evening menu from £10). Milford Haven is a lively town a 20 minutes drive away from Lockley Lodge and it has several restaurants and pubs. Have the camera ready as on the way to your chosen eatery you will enjoy pretty views of the Milford Marina.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/200 Aperture: f/3.6
Camera: Iphone 6 Lens: Iphone 6 Back Camera
ISO: 500 Shutter Speed: 1/17 Focal Length: 4.15mm
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/3.8
Cheers with a glass of bubbly from Pembrokeshire where guest accommodation normally comes with a private garden with options for a barbecue should you wish to take it easy and stay in one evening.
Camera: Iphone 6 Lens: Iphone 6 Back Camera
ISO: 40 Shutter Speed: 1/100 Focal Length: 4.15mm