kb57
Well-known member
Mar Ilimitado pelagic out of Sagres this morning. This sequence of mostly not very sharp photos was of a shearwater which was called by the marine biologist leading the trip as a Manx, due to it being much more contrasty (i.e. pale underneath) than the Balearics , a few of which we'd seen beetling past earlier. I had my doubts because it didn't look anywhere near dark and contrasty enough; however (a) its a good few years since I've seen a Manx (albeit lots of them from the Islay ferry); (b) the light was strong by then, bleaching out contrast (e.g. great shearwater caps didn't look that dark); and (c) I didn't want to be the smart*ss who questioned her judgement in front of the rest of the boat.
Now I've looked at my photos I'm certain it's not a Manx, and the question remains of whether it is good for Balearic; is maybe a Yelkouan; or perhaps a 'Menorcan' intermediate which can't be safely determined. Note also it was hanging around the chum slick, which isn't a very Manx (or Balearic??) thing to do. Photos I'm fairly certain are the same bird which flew then settled again, and are in the sequence they were taken.
Now I've looked at my photos I'm certain it's not a Manx, and the question remains of whether it is good for Balearic; is maybe a Yelkouan; or perhaps a 'Menorcan' intermediate which can't be safely determined. Note also it was hanging around the chum slick, which isn't a very Manx (or Balearic??) thing to do. Photos I'm fairly certain are the same bird which flew then settled again, and are in the sequence they were taken.
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Shearwater 1.jpg3.1 MB · Views: 51
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Shearwater 2.jpg1.9 MB · Views: 52
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Shearwater 3.jpg1.4 MB · Views: 55
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Shearwater 4.jpg2 MB · Views: 57
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Shearwater 5.jpg4.7 MB · Views: 57
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Shearwater 5a.jpg5 MB · Views: 56
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Shearwater 6.jpg4.7 MB · Views: 51
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Shearwater 7.jpg2.4 MB · Views: 43
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Shearwater 8.jpg2.4 MB · Views: 45
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Shearwater 9.jpg3.8 MB · Views: 50
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