Whos keeping an eye on me....

Saturday 29 September 2012

Full Moon

Seen this evening here in East Cheshire UK
 
apeture F11
shutter speed 1\125S
iso 200

 

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Skua Cruise 2012 pt1

This years North Sea Skua Cruise off Bridlington Harbour almost came and went without as much as a ripple ..... just like the sea that we sailed upon.
Warm, clear skies and a mill pond for a sea as we left the harbour.
 
The usual Northern Gannets were in good numbers, some followed the boat while others plunge dived at shoals of fish further out of the bay..... that was a good direction for us to head out to.
 
 
plenty of juveniles had already left the cliffs

 
Fantastic numbers of Guillimots.
 

 
the adults moult their flight feathers and become sea bound for a short period so with the inability to fly they take evasive paddling actions to avoid the swell from the boat

 
the odd Puffin and Razorbills aswell
 
 
Of course it isnt called the Skua cruise for nothing and we were soon onto a dark Phase Arctic Skua, this bird wasnt in the mood for a fight so flew in and out without showing any aggression
 

 
The daddy of the Skuas made a few appearances and again without too much fuss they mostly flew alongside for only a moment or two...
 
Great Skua
 

 
however the best was saved for last....
 
a life bird for me, prolonged stunning views, Skua attacks and a magical 10 minutes
Pomerine Skua
 
I have put up a dedicated post to this bird a few days ago but here are a few images of this brute of a bird
 

 
there were some other fine birds on view
 
Great Black Backed Gull
 
 
Arctic Tern (also Common and Sandwich Terns)
 
 
Northern Fulmar
 
 
of those that didnt make it onto film were Little Gull, Red Throated Diver and Common Scoter
 
However the RNLI did make an appearance as they rescued a stranded jet skier
 

 
Flamborough Headland

 
 
 
 

Saturday 8 September 2012

Pomerine Skua

A new life bird this morning - Pomerine Skua
 
This really is a brute of a bird

It came from what seemed like nowhere and straight into the flock of mixed gulls at the back of the boat, it attacked a few birds that may have had food and seemed to leave and keep a little distance away.... possibly with its stolen catch.

Click on any image for a more detailed view and to access the slideshow
 
 
it came back along side the boat giving unbelievable views

 

 

 

 

 
coming around for another attack

 
even warriors need to rest

 
No apologies for the amount of images of the same bird, it really was a special few minutes