It was a close encounter of the ‘bird’ kind for one tourist during a holiday to Shetland.
Julie Barry, a telecoms engineer from Kent, started taking photographs as a hobby five years ago.
She travelled to Shetland with her husband Richard after spotting an advert for a photographic holiday.
Accompanied by a local guide, the pair hoped to see puffins for the first time – but they could never have imagined the experience they would come away with.
They headed to Sumburgh Head, a popular spot for birdwatching on the island, and chose a location on the left hand side just up from the car park.
Mrs Barry said there were “loads of puffins” there that day but it was when she sat back on the grass that she had a “once in a lifetime experience”.
The special moment was captured by Mrs Barry on her phone.
The footage shows a extra curious puffin come underneath the fence and head towards the couple. After appearing to inspect the camera bag, it then goes underneath Mrs Barry’s leg and stays there for a couple of minutes before heading away again.
“I never imagined puffins would come so close,” Mrs Barry said.
“I thought maybe the puffin was curious to start with then maybe thought it was in a burrow when under my leg.
“I was absolutely blown away when he headed towards me. I had only just got my phone out to take some video footage of the puffins so couldn’t believe my luck. It was great that he’d come close but then when he came under my leg it was incredible.”
John Betts, who organised the holiday for the Barry family, said: “With the huge increase in human activity around Skomer, Wales, the Farne Islands, off Northumberland and Shetland, coupled with the curious nature of puffins, they will from time to time interact with us, often pecking at camera lenses or pulling on camera bag straps.
“The important thing when this happens is to stay calm and still and, at all costs, not frighten them.”