Stumbling across a Great Skua
Great Skuas are one of my favourite birds. They are a constant delight as they patrol the shoreline, flying low and surprising us as they sail effortlessly past.
This time I’ve been lucky and stumbled across one close by on Papa Westray:
What a magnificent beast:
I manœuvre around to get a plain background, hoping that it won’t fly.
I’ve never been this close and not been attacked. I think that’s probably a surprise to us both.
When it does take off it shows its characteristic white wing flashes:
And then lands further away to preserve its dignity.
What a beautiful encounter.
More Great Skuas
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2020 highlights of a wilder Orkney life In 2020 I managed two trips to Orkney. I did it by self-isolating for two weeks before travelling and then… read more