ML39282451

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Initially seen as unidentified skua (called South Polar by some on boat) at ~07:36. We later chased and caught up to the bird. It as a Great Skua, which showed warm ginger-brown tones; the head showed a dark cap; and in some angles and good light showed gold-buff mottling on flanks and upperparts. The remiges appeared entire without obvious wing molt, esp. outer wing where primaries long and tapered. Bold white patch at base of primaries; broad wings; longish bill. Other observers got very good photos of the bird, e.g. this image by Doug Suitor: Photo analysis confirms that the initial sighting was the same bird thought to be a different individual (called South Polar). Only one bird was involved, however. See photo comparison by L. Bevier from photos by Tim Healey. (Flickr link is broken)

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

Lens

EF300mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

ISO

100

Focal length

420 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

2173 pixels x 1449 pixels

Original file size

924.68 KB