Friday, June 22, 2012

Manx Shearwater

These shots were taken on Skomer Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire on Wednesday. 
There are estimated to be about 128,000 of these birds on Skomer, meaning this island, and nearby Skokholm, compromise over half the world population of the species. They usually feed at sea by day, and then come to land at night to visit their burrows. It was therefore quite a surprise to come upon this bird by the side of a path in the early afternoon sunshine:



It shuffled across the footpath in its ungainly manner, and scrambled up onto a rock, posing nicely for the small group of photographers now present:





Not sure if the bird was ill, but it soon went back down into the undergrowth, before flying off towards the sea with no apparent ill-effects.
Strange!

9 comments:

  1. Never saw this beautiful bird before. Beautiful captured Jeremy.

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  2. Stunning. What a rare opportunity, Jeremy. And what fine-looking weather, too! Was it too late for Puffins?

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  3. Thanks for your comments. Caroline, plenty of Puffins. Hope to post a few pics later!

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  4. A rare sight indeed Jeremy.
    Great captures.

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  5. Amazing statistics on this species and gorgeous images Jeremy~

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  6. That pictures are fantastic Jeremy, I wish I could get one, you are a genius.

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  7. Hi Jeremy,

    Your photos are exceptional! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent.

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  8. Bob, not exactly a genius. I won't tell you how many O-levels I've got (might embarrass myself)!

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  9. Wonderful photos from this special bird. I like the purple feet.

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