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:
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