Gannets
by Science Photo Library
Title
Gannets
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Gannets. Pair of northern gannets (Morus bassanus) during courtship preening. The courtship ritual involves preening, bowing and head- pointing. Gannets are extremely adept plunge divers. They use binocular vison to search for fish and squid benath the water. Once prey has been located, they dive with partially folded wings, reaching speeds of at least 60 miles per hour. The impact with the water is sustained by special adaptions. The streamlined shape of their head and body helps minimise resistance and their beaks remain tightly shut to prevent water entering their mouth. The bird does not have nostrils, eliminating the danger of accidently breathing in water. The bird has a very thick skull which acts as a crash helmet. In addition, airbag-like sacs around the neck and shoulders inflate during a plunge to protect the body on impact. Photographed at Bass Rock, off North Berwick, Scotland.
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October 4th, 2018
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