Arctic Skua

There’s a familiar silhouette on the slopes below Skea Hill.

Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the)

It’s an Arctic Skua.

There are several ‘morphs’ of Arctic Skuas. There are very pale individuals, very dark individuals, and individuals which are intermediate between the two. This one is almost all dark but has the white patch on the head and neck.

It flies and comes nearer to me.

What an incredible bird.

More Arctic Skuas

Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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Fulmar and Arctic Skua - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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Arctic Skua and Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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David @ the HALL of EINAR
on Northern Nutcrackers
Thanks so much Pat - yes, I was delighted I captured the fleeting poses as they interacted..
Pat Nelson
on Northern Nutcrackers
What a great action shot! The wing positions are so perfect that at first I thought it was an illustration.
David @ the HALL of EINAR
on Greenfinch
Thanks Colin. Yes, I remember the excitement as a child when I saw Greenfinches in the tiny garden of our terraced house as a child, Green birds! - it's as if I was Gerald Durrell...
David @ the HALL of EINAR
on Goldfinch in snow
Yes, American Goldfinches are so... gold! I'd love to see one.
David @ the HALL of EINAR
on A Common Guillemot’s ramphotheca
That's really helpful John - thank you!
John Rochester
on A Common Guillemot’s ramphotheca
Hi David, the skull shown on this page is a Great Northern Diver rather than a Guillemot. GND; https://flic.kr/p/2nrLdFR Guillemot; https://flic.kr/p/qEQuHY Compare the size as well as the details.
Pat Nelson
on Goldfinch in snow
Their coloring is so different from the American Goldfinch, whose males are primarily yellow all over except for black wings and a black spot on their heads.
Colin
on Greenfinch
Great photos! I'm always thrilled when our garden is graced with a Greenfinch visit (which us unfortunately quite rare).
Bob Ramsak
on A Golden Jackal arrives
It looks like they're ready to play. :)

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