Great Skua

[grumpyhippo]

I hope I've identified this correctly if I'm wrong I know there are far more knowledgable folks out there who'll put me right.
Seen between Scrabster light house and Holborn Head

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0061b-1.jpg

[nirofo]

You've got it, Great Skua or Bonxie!

Nice shot by the way.

nirofo.

[WeeBurd]

Grand pic, Grumpy, thank you for sharing it with us! :D

[sparky]

Great or not great, not sure?
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/2403/img16601.jpg

[nirofo]

Great or not great, not sure?
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/2403/img16601.jpg


Two Great - Skuas that is!

nirofo.

[Kenn]

There are often a few loitering around Scrabster have managed to get within two feet of one perched on the harbour wall.
Can any one tell me why they seem to salivate when resting? Have posted the picture below to illustrate what I mean, take a close look at the bill.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Birds/2005_0731JulyCaithness20090016-1.jpg

[Aaldtimer]

Probably slavering over it's next kill...horrible, murderous crittur![disgust]

[annthracks]

Probably slavering over it's next kill...horrible, murderous crittur![disgust]

We had a regular visitor to the jetty messroom on Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland - used to massacre handfuls of 1oz butter portions... once the butter had melted it would regurgitate the tinfoil wrappers [lol]

[ducati]

There are often a few loitering around Scrabster have managed to get within two feet of one perched on the harbour wall.
Can any one tell me why they seem to salivate when resting? Have posted the picture below to illustrate what I mean, take a close look at the bill.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Birds/2005_0731JulyCaithness20090016-1.jpg

They have to excrete excess salt.

Great pictures all BTW.

Sparky's look like they were flying above them!

[grumpyhippo]

I'm sure the scientific explanation is correct but I prefer to think that just like the human male as they get older a drip inevitably collects. ( this is why older males have nose hair, to provide a focal origin for said drip)


This one in Orkney............

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0048.jpg

[cazmanian_minx]

One from the west coast - I find them quite intimidating up close!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/4699343081_da22ab6565_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22544094@N00/4699343081/in/set-72157605694776058/)

[dafi]

I love em but they are beasts.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/dafiduck/IMG_5405.jpg

[RIR]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert.rae2/bryameadow/bonxie.jpg

One just off the Old Man of Hoy.


Ian.