(taken with a 500mm lens on a Nikon D2x – focal length 750mm – I had seen this adult dive bomb some walkers further up the footpath. With my camera set up ready I approached slowly and was able to capture this single image as the adult came screaming toward me. This was the only occasion in a month that I was dive bombed by an adult and I would actively encourage other photographers to never attempt an image of this behaviour with anything other than a telephoto. If a skua does dive bomb you then move away slowly as it not only wastes valuable energy for the bird, it also leaves the nest/chick vulnerable to predation).
As you can see from the image/text above this is a blog on some great skua images which I captured during a month long trip to Shetland in 2008. It’s also an opportunity to inform anyone who might be interested that a feature of my great skua images (all different to these ones posted) are published as a 6 page feature in this months’ BBC Wildlife magazine with text provided by renowned expert on all things avian, Dominic Couzins.
My visit to Shetland was brought about, in its entirety, by the incessant witterings of my good friend and fellow pro Danny Green who, in between breaks for doughnuts, fags and pig-like snoring, would usually spend his days extolling the virtues of this most spectacular group of islands. ‘You gotta go’ he would grunt ‘…cracking place’. High praise indeed! All joking aside however I am tremendously grateful that he did because he introduced me, earlier than would have occurred naturally, to what would become the UK destination that I cherish above all others.
(adults displaying to other adults passing overhead)
Over the last two years I have now spent more than 4 months exploring these islands but there is one place that stands alone for me, Hermaness NNR, where the majority of these images were captured. It is a place of magnificent beauty, of unbridled wildness and isolation and I am thrilled that I will be returning there again for another month during this September and October. At this time gales between Force 8 and 10 are a daily routine, rocks are been blown up the precipitous cliffs and waterfalls curl back on themselves, beaten back by storms surging in unbroken from the North Atlantic. By now all of the smaller seabirds have left, as have the inexplicably few visitors, and only the gannets, the skuas and the odd sheep remain.
This only adds to the sense of isolation and it is in these places, at these times, when I get the greatest delight from what I do. And if I haven’t sold the place to you then I know a man who can!!
(don’t expect to see much sunshine though)
Note to Niall and Paul – Please excuse the indulgence of this 6 image blog!
Maestro,
Thou art excused – and when it comes to a bit of self-indulgence I would be the last to stand innocently!
These are stunning images Andy – I have just come back from some hard walking in the Dolomites where I turned my lenses from alpine plant to choughs…and then back again with relief. I have some idea of what it takes to get images like these…and all one can do is admire. Respect man! RESPECT.
Paul
Hi Andrew
Just wanted to say the images to the story in this months BBC Magazine are beautiful, I love seeing behaviour captured in wildlife and there a bags of that in these images.Shetland is a place I have to visit and just sit there,living in my tent,a real must do for me asap.Getting back to this article great shots and really enjoyed the text/grammar
Best Wishes
Craig Jones
Beautiful images Andy.
A place I would love to visit one day. Thanks for taking us there through your wonderful images.
Cracking images, Andy. Your prolonged opportunities with these birds is very evident in the pictures – very intimate and revealing.
“inexplicably few visitors” – be careful what you wish for!
Cheers,
Chris
Hi all and thanks for taking the time to comment, especially so favourably.
Paul – I’ve no doubt that you’d exhibit more natural talent and flair for wildlife photography than I do for plant/macro/landscape photography. I am aware of and embrace all of my many limitations!
Jules – you’ll have to come up with me/Dan some time soon.
Chris – Couldn’t agree more. I’ll often type/post something before my brain has time to tell me that I’m talking rubbish!
Craig – Make sure you’ve got a decent tent, it can get pretty blustery up there. I got through 3 tents in total, the last one that a Force 8 destroyed was a £400 tent belonging to a close friend. It’s still a sensational place in which to spend time however.
Hi, great photos Andy, really liked the article too. It’s great to see a more intimate side to Bonxies, as far too many people just see them as mean, nasty brutes.
The sun is currently shining on Hermaness, and has been for the last few days. There are lots of Puffins about, nice fat Gannet chicks, the Guillimot chicks are currently jumping, the Bonxies are doing well and the Arctic Skuas have chicks too.
I managed to get some pleasing photos last night of the Bonxies with rays of the sun setting.
For the botanically mided June was incredible for the wild plants and flowers up here, wonderful orchids, and the very rare Edmondstons Chickweed, Norwegian Sandwort and Northern Rockcress all have been flowering well. Currently the Sundew are just coming into flower.
http://alastairwilsonphotos.blogspot.com
ps. The Falklands was absolutely incredible! You have to add it to your list of places to go to!
Thanks for sharing these images Andy. Like the ones in the mag they are fantastic and certainly show there is more to these birds than their reputation! The head on image is very powerful and some serious sharp shooting – a stunner.
Alex
Hi Guys
Nice to hear from the two Al’s.
Alex – I am slightly embarrassed that my skua images are included in the same issue of BBC Wildlife as your sensational underwater portfolio as they seem utterly mediocre in comparison. I can’t really say any more than that really because they are among the most spectacular underwater images that I’ve ever seen, colour, composition, behaviour, light. All are exquisite! Really nice catching up with you in Edinburgh by the way.
Alastair – Alright stranger, I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you but I guess you’ll be long gone by the time I’m back up there. I’m glad you had a good time on the Falklands, no doubt you’ll be returning this year. There have been some positive developments on my project but without wishing to be too cloak and dagger I will email you separately regarding developments.
Speak soon
Andy