Photographer Joshua Galaxi has released a striking series of images documenting northern gannets hunting in the Shetland Islands. the project, conducted on the Isle of Noss, captures the birds' high-speed dives and coordinated movements.
Millions of northern gannets and 180-metre sandstone cliffs
The Isle of Noss, located within Scotland's Shetland archipelago, serves as a massive breeding ground for millions of northern gannets.. These birds congregate annually among the island's 180-metre red sandstone cliffs, creating a dense colony that transforms the rugged coastline into a hub of avian activity, according to the report.
The scale of this gathering provides a unique ecological backdrop for wildlife study. The sheer volume of birds operating in such a concentrated area creates the "feeding frenzy" that Joshua Galaxi sought to document, turning the surrounding icy waters into a high-stakes arena for survival.
Glass housings and strobes in the Shetland archipelago
To capture the action beneath the waves, Joshua Galaxi utilized a specialized glass housing equipped with strobes. This technical setup allowed the photographer to illuminate the dark underwater environment without altering the natural behavior of the northern gannets, as the report says.
The resulting imagery highlights a level of precision rarely seen in wildlife photography. Galaxi captured moments of "mirrored precision" where two northern gannets dive in synchrony, their bills crossing in a way that appears choreographed. Other shots emphasize the contrast between the birds' sleek silhouettes and the "white-white splash" of their prey being caught in the black water.
A 'river of wings' and the trend of underwater wildlife art
The imagery of northern gannets following one another in a "river of wings" reflects a growing trend in wildlife photography that seeks to merge athletic action with artistic symmetry. By capturing the transition from a "streak of motion" to a sudden burst of speed—which Galaxi compares to a car racing through a narrow gorge—the work elevates the biological act of hunting into a visual study of physics and fluid dynamics.
This focus on the "secret underwater world" serves as a critique of the typical tourist experience. While many visitors to the Shetland Islands may remain indifferent to the depths, these images bring the feral energy of the ocean's depths to the surface, echoing a broader movement to document the hidden lives of marine predators through high-speed technology.
The unidentified fish species of the Isle of Noss
Despite the vivid nature of the photographs,several specific details remain missing from the account. The report does not identify the specific species of fish that the northern gannets are hunting, nor does it provide the exact dates of Galaxi's expedition with Shetland Seabird Tours.
Furthermore, while the source mentions that similar photos of other seabirds have become trending, it does not specify which other species or regions are being highlighted.. This leaves a gap in understanding whether the coordinated hunting patterns seen on the Isle of Noss are unique to northern gannets or a wider phenomenon among Atlantic seabirds .
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