If it's Autumn in Orkney...

Readers (either of you) may be wondering what has happened to the reporting of one of Orkney's annual natural events, a fixture in the calendar that is as reassuringly regular (in these most irregular of times) as it is, by turns, calming and dramatic.

Yes, it is once again Grey Seal pupping time, a roller coaster blend of cuteness, doting motherly love (well, for the first six weeks of a pup's life) and testosterone-fuelled shenanigans.

This year, our pilgrimage didn't occur until peak pup, which meant full beaches, frayed nerves and testy bulls, with more drama than we were anticipating.

A few of the rocky coves in South Ronaldsay, where a coastal clifftop path gives good views of the pupping beaches without disturbing the seals.

This was the only wildlife which was photographed close up, everything else was shot with lots of zoom from a good distance away. Oh, it's possibly Fried Egg Fungus?

A content pup

A mum and pup dozing together

Two pups which have moulted out of their fluffy white coats. After about six weeks, mums cease feeding pups and leave them to their own devices. 

This is not a pup

This is a pup

A newborn pup about to have its first feed

Welcome to the battle to be Beach Master 2022. The below video gives an indication of how bulls end up looking like this. It's all gone a bit Blue Planet!

Phew, after that we might need some gratuitous cuteness to balance things up.