A displaying skua. They display to, or for a mate or to other skuas to
establish their territory. Sometimes the birds can be seen to do this
as a pair, it is quite an impressive sight and the squawking can be heard
some considerable distance away. Skuas will also do this if their nest is
being approached by an unwanted visitor.
More often though the first sign that a visitor gets of
being near to a skuas nest is of a sudden heart-stopping rush of air
through the wing feathers of the parent bird flying at speed past your
head from behind, much too close for comfort. If you're particularly
unlucky or if its very unhappy at you being so close, then rarely a whack
at the back of the head by the front of the wing may result. This is
actually quite a good way of finding skua chicks - when the parents start
getting upset you know you're very close to the excellently camouflaged
chick.
This bird however was semi-tame and was calling to his
mate to come quick as there may well be some give-away food. The biggest
problem I had taking this shot was getting the bird far enough away as he
kept sticking his beak about 10cm from my lens.
Paul
Ward - Pentax equipment, 50mm lens, 35mm film, K64.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission.
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