June 6, 2014: Kittiwake close up

365 Project, Day 199

Here is my day 199 submission to my 365Project:

Black-legged kittiwake's (Rissa tridactyla) were flying around and resting on the ship today. This one flew nice and close past me and one ended up too close for my zoom lens but I thought the shot was pretty cool anyways. 

Location: central North Sea

Of course, there were also some gulls around today, like this Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), I photographed flying past the ship and scratching itself in flight. I love it when I can get shots of birds in action mid-flight!

Lesser-black backed gull (Larus fuscus)

Lesser-black backed gull (Larus fuscus)

Lesser-black backed gull (Larus fuscus)

These two black-legged kittiwake's (Rissa tridactyla) were vying for the same spot on one of the porthole ledges on the bow of the ship. Very entertaining watching their interactions as one was trying land in the same place another was already perched :)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

Incoming! Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

In a happy place :) Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis)

Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

North Sea oil rig

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

In addition to the bird life, I saw this minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surface near the ship this morning. You can see the dark body colouration and the distinct, sickle shaped dorsal fin. 

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)