Seawatching from the M.V. Salamanca.

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I absolutely love that the Rosslare to Bilbao ferry now carries foot passengers and cyclists. This is my second time to use the service.

The Brittany Ferry owned M.V. Salamanca is a lovely new ferry and the calm conditions allowed for seawatching.

I had a much smoother crossing than The Earls did in 1607. During the 27 hour crossing I added two more species to my lifetime list (not that I keep an actual list). I enjoyed lovely views of great shearwater and corys shearwater. Both can be seen on land based seawatches in donegal, but I have never managrd to find them before. However they stayed tantalizingly just out of range for a good pboto. I've added a few of the best shots here. Dull light and heavily cropped.

A pod of dolphins followed us for a while too. They stayed a respectable distance behind the ship. Several at a time would leap completely clear of the water. A beautiful sight.

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Photos

Corys Shearwater
A new species for me.

Touchdown
I spent ages trying to get a photo of a dolphin in flight. This was the closet I got.

Lands End.
We sailed about 15 miles off shore past Lands End. I've been there on several different trips now. A new experience sailing by it.

Great shearwater
Another new species for me.

Corys Shearwater and gannet.
Similar colour, but very different shape and size. They also have a different flight pattern.

Great skua.
Colloquially known as a bonxie. They are pirates of the sea.