Magnificent Mallimacks
There are Fulmars, called Mallimacks here in Orkney, on the wing at the pier on Papa Westray

This one is flying a repetitive flight-path:

That makes it easier to photograph it as I’ve got multiple opportunities to compose the right shot, get it in focus and try out different settings.

I begin to wonder what it’s doing, but then realise; flying is what they do.
You can’t stay still in the air without expending a lot of energy, so circling around is the best thing to do if you don’t want to land. It’s a clear holding pattern. I think it has a youngster and maybe a partner below on the rocks.

I love their flying boat outline:

And the pattern of grey feathers on their wings looks just like reptile scales:

More Mallimacks








