The Fulmar Triathlon

Fulmars are one of my favourite birds. All animals have some sort of compromise in their bodies because of the range of functions they have to fulfil and Fulmars seem to compromise just like others. Fulmars have to compete in the triathlon of walking, swimming and flying. A Fulmar’s weakest triathlon event is definitely walking. With legs too far back for efficient walking, they are ungainly and awkward on land. They are beautiful, but out of their element on Earth.

Sitting Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Fulmar’s second best triathlon event is swimming. They have large feet with fully webbed toes and can make powerful strokes to propel themselves.

Swimming Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

They are very confident on the sea.

Their strongest triathlon event is definitely flying.

Flying Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Fulmars are complete masters of the skies and live to cruise the wind.

Flying Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Earth, wind and water, Fulmars live in and on them all, but the wind is their true calling.

Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Mallimack in Sea Pinks - A garden of Sea Pinks makes every bird photograph look better. This incubating Fulmar has the perfect vantage point, surrounded by a garden of Sea Pinks. I hope she has laid a large egg so their chick has the maximum chance of survival.
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Touching waves with wing-tips - I love to walk along the Sands o’ Maesan, climb the rocks at the end of the beach, and make my way to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s an important Iron Age burial ground with stunning views out towards the island of Rousay. There were over 100 burials here and …
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Mallimack surprise - The Fulmars on Westray are littering the coast with their ungainly earthly forms, as well as flying effortlessly along the cliffs with their aerial selves. They look so beautiful, and oddly wise, in this late evening sunshine. It’s good to have long evenings after work to see them. I keep …
Fulmar and Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack - A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack. An Arctic Skua attacking a Fulmar. A Stercorarius parasiticus attacking a Fulmarus glacialis. Dramatic, isn’t it, in any language? This Fulmar strayed a little too close to the territory of a pair of Arctic Skuas and was pecked and mobbed into the distance. The Arctic …
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Mallimack life - Fulmars are my favourite birds to watch flying. They have an effortless confidence on the wind, and glide with stiff wings as if every moment is a thrill to their senses. On land it’s a different story. Fulmar nests are often not much more than a scrape, with a platform …
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) One dramatic evening - It’s a dramatic evening, already quite dark, yet this Fulmar is still flying. The sun is lighting up the high clouds with a palette of glorious colours. I can see my house, Einar, silhouetted on the horizon. I sit and enjoy the passing of the day. There’s a Raven flying …
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Mallimacks - We’re aboard the Ailsa Jane and I’m taking advantage of the creel boat having a very low side where the creels get dropped into the ocean. It means I can lie down and get eye-level with a fabulous array of life. There’s a Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, nearby hoping for some …
Fulmars - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Alternative nesting sites - On the cliffs of Westray are two Fulmar resting places. They’re both in the north-end of the island. One is a bare ledge, the other a reclaimed Ravens’ nest. It’s hard not to project human attitudes onto them, especially since the massive Ravens’ nest towers above the neighbouring Fulmar’s bare …
Fulmar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) A Fulmar at the skeleton house - A Fulmar from summer, sitting pretty on the top of a wall in the skeleton house. Its beached carcass and exposed ribs make a desolate view. Perfect for a passing Raven.

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