Kamamkazi Gannet Strike

[marisca]

So there I was sailing serenely past Ailsa Craig on my way to Ireland, carefully dodging the beer drinkers - oops,sorry! - sea anglers - when I spied, amongst the hordes of wheeling gannets, one that seemed to be on a constant bearing. Quite what the beast was looking at I have no idea but it didn't see me until it was almost at my mast. It then banked sharply and tried to go through the gap 'tween genoa and main (I was on a broad reach) and there was an almighty bang and a thump as it whapped off the standing rigging and landed on the deck. Luckily it then flopped into the water and after lying there spread-ganneted (same as spread-eagled but it wasn't one of those) it shook itself into a normal floating gannet posture - and no, I didn't go back to check it was alright. I tie back my inner forestay to a starboard stanchion base and it seems it was this that took the brunt of the shunt as the high quality Lidl's carabiner I used to hold it down is now almost straight.

Is this a totally unique occurence or have others been attacked by fish or fowl while minding their own business?

[Silkie]

I awoke one morning in Puilladobhrain and looked out the companionway to see a basking shark seemingly about to swallow my dinghy but it changed it's mind at the last moment and yawned on by. No pics alas.

[Alcyone]

I see you've met Puddock, the Gannet?

I've been dive bombed by Fulmars and by Skuas when surfacing after a dive, and Skuas on dry land as well.

[Arghiro]

North Walian herring gulls are well known for stealling ice cream & prtions of chips out of the hands of trippers. Silly sods feed the horrible flying rats & then get upset when they start taking it out of their hands.

I've had seals approach the rubber duck, apparently looking for Mum or mate depending on age of marauder.