500 km From Shore

Might as well be in a homemade raft as a modern day seismic vessel when it comes to internet connection 500 km NE of St. John's, Newfoundland. This posting is tenuous at best.  Day Six of 35 at sea.  Standard fare seabirds so far.  Skuas are the standard highlight of the standard fare on an average day anywhere off eastern Newfoundland in summer.  South Polar is most numerous and the easiest of the two skua species to identify with certainty in the summer months. So far just two but it may be just a little early. Their main target species, the Great Shearwater is out here in numbers so the skuas can't be far behind.  The three commonest species are Great Shearwater, Northern Fulmar and Leach's Storm-Petrel.

A classic looking South Polar Skua showing the solid dark chocolate back and smooth pale neck.

Same SPSK directly over head looking directly down for any lunch option.

 

South Polar Skuas are more sociable than Great Skuas and never miss a chance to chase one another.