Full Moon

Seen this evening here in East Cheshire UK

 

apeture F11

shutter speed 1\125S

iso 200

 

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

 

Wild Bird Wednesday

 

 

 

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