The Conductor
This Arctic Skua reminded me of the conductor of an orchestra. He had been bathing in a fresh water pool and was just flapping himself dry. This photo also shows the white wing flashes and deep barrel chest characteristic of this species. In summer they don't catch their own food like most seabirds, but mug other seabirds for food they are carrying back in their crops. When chased panicking seabirds will regurgitate their last meal and the skua will gather it all in mid air with astonishing dexterity. I photographed this one on St Kilda where I had another encounter with a breeding Arctic Skua. When I walked high on the hill one Skua called at me to signal its displeasure as it had a chick somewhere nearby. I didn't want to disturb it so headed back down and as soon as I turned my back I felt a rush of air as it divebombed me. This one wouldn't attack while I was watching so I then had to walk backwards out of its territory. But one bird on Svalbard wasn't so timid and physically struck me as I was taking a photograph of it charging me. Here's the photo just before impact: www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/9459817588/in/photolist
One final thing; Skuas have webbed feet like most seabirds but there is an optical illusion going on here that makes the feet look unwebbed. That is because the webs were almost submerged, but the "middle toe" is a reflection of the leg making the toes look normal.
The Conductor
This Arctic Skua reminded me of the conductor of an orchestra. He had been bathing in a fresh water pool and was just flapping himself dry. This photo also shows the white wing flashes and deep barrel chest characteristic of this species. In summer they don't catch their own food like most seabirds, but mug other seabirds for food they are carrying back in their crops. When chased panicking seabirds will regurgitate their last meal and the skua will gather it all in mid air with astonishing dexterity. I photographed this one on St Kilda where I had another encounter with a breeding Arctic Skua. When I walked high on the hill one Skua called at me to signal its displeasure as it had a chick somewhere nearby. I didn't want to disturb it so headed back down and as soon as I turned my back I felt a rush of air as it divebombed me. This one wouldn't attack while I was watching so I then had to walk backwards out of its territory. But one bird on Svalbard wasn't so timid and physically struck me as I was taking a photograph of it charging me. Here's the photo just before impact: www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/9459817588/in/photolist
One final thing; Skuas have webbed feet like most seabirds but there is an optical illusion going on here that makes the feet look unwebbed. That is because the webs were almost submerged, but the "middle toe" is a reflection of the leg making the toes look normal.