Image Showcase: Socotra Cormorants of Rubud Al Sharqiyah

The island of Rubud Al Sharqiyah is home to the world’s largest colony of globally-threatened Socotra Cormorants. Riding the Shamals (north-westerly winds), these birds gather on the island in immense numbers to nest and breed during the months of September to February.

Life is perilous on the island. The Cormorants need to pant constantly in order to avoid the risk of overheating. Their eggs and young are also at risk of predation by opportunistic Gulls and Terns. Rubud Al Sharqiyah, in itself, is barren and uninhabitable; the island is littered with pits of quicksand and fractured mud which makes navigation a massive challenge.

This shot is one I’d planned several months in advance. Strong winds, harsh lighting and heavy dust made image-making incredibly challenging, but enduring those conditions was a major part of the overall experience. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the extreme conditions these birds survive in, and conveying that was my ultimate goal when capturing this scene.