Paradise Harbour Birds

After our Zodiac cruise and hot chocolate drive-thru we returned to the ship and headed up to the observation deck at the front of the National Geographic Explorer to watch the Paradise Harbour birds that were nesting on the cliffs. Being nudged in against the rock we we were up amongst the Blue-eyed Shags that were ferrying food back to their chicks. It began to snow and we noticed a Snowy Sheathbill scavenging among the nests and managed to work out it’s circuit to get some flight opportunities in a more natural environment than we had seen them in at Port Lockroy. A single Cape Petrel arrived and landed, presumably at a nesting site, before doing a few circuits and giving us some flight opportunities against the cliff and against the grey sky. Down on the rocks a Brown Skua scavenged a shag chick that had fallen from a nest on the cliff above.

Having the time to watch the birds was great and, as always, it was amazing how much you could see by simply quietly observing! Having some eye level photo opportunities with the cliff breeding birds was a real bonus and unique opportunity as much more intimate images are possible.

Blue-eyed Shag heading off to fish. Orange lichens on the cliff face behind
Blue-eyed Shag heading off to fish as the snow begins to fall. Orange lichens on the cliff face behind.
Snowy Sheathbill flying between Shag nests to scavenge
Snowy Sheathbill flying between Shag nests to scavenge.
Cape Petrel flying up to land on the cliff in the snow
Cape Petrel flying up to land on the cliff in the snow.
Brown Skua scavenging a Blue-eyed Shag chick.
Brown Skua scavenging a Blue-eyed Shag chick.

A bonus was to catch the Cape Petrel against the grey sky which was perfect for my Birds on White series of images.

Cape Petrel on white
Cape Petrel on white

All photos with Nikon D810 and Nikon 200-400 f4 VR lens.

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