These
birds are on the specially made skua landing platform (also used by
occasional Dominican gulls and sheathbills) outside the kitchen window of
the scientific station on Signy island in the South Orkneys. There
were two pairs of skuas that used it regularly (never at the same time
though), the "Reds" and the "Blues" they lived
respectively to the sides of the platform of their colours. This is Mr.
and Mrs. Blue. Their nest was about 250m away downhill of this rooftop
platform and occasionally when feeling lazy, they would walk up rather
than fly and then glide downhill back home.
If you were out nearby they would sometimes come to see
if they could get any free food (see above) squawking and hovering above
you. If you lent over forwards, then sometimes one would land on your back
and look quizzically sideways at you as if to say "Now what?". I
also had one of them once try to land on my back-pack as I was walking
along. Unfortunately it was a purpose made back pack that consisted of a
frame with two large open top cans attached. The first I knew what was
happening was when Mrs. Blue fell into one and with much scrabbling and
panic managed to get out of it before settling nearby and giving me a
haughty stare.
Paul
Ward - Pentax equipment, 50mm lens, 35mm film, K64.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission.
