I am going on hiatus from my drawing project for a short while (until the 8th of October to be exact). I've got a bit behind on my studying due to being away over the past 2 weekends so I need to catch up, and additionally my end of module exam is on the 8th of October so I really need to get cracking with revision! On top of that work is going to be mega-hectic this month as I'll be doing 2 peoples' jobs while my colleague recuperates from an operation (which is why I've also been a bit quiet on Twitter lately - I do most of my tweeting from work, one of the advantages of a boring desk-based job!).
So alas, I have decided it would be best to put the drawings on hold while I concentrate on other stuff. I will be back in October though! :o)
Thursday, 5 September 2013
115. European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
The European Shag is similar in appearance to the Great Cormorant although it is slightly smaller; however it can sometimes be difficult to tell them apart especially in flight. Shags have a slimmer neck and bill, and smaller head with a peaked forehead compared to the Cormorant's gently sloping forehead; they usually fly close to the water holding their neck straight whereas the Cormorant's sags slightly, and their outer wings appear shorter and slightly more rounded. In the breeding season they have a funky crest too! Unlike Great Cormorants, European Shags are restricted to coastal areas where they breed on rocky cliffs and islands around the coasts of northwest Europe, Arctic Russia, parts of the Mediterranean and north Africa.
Mmmm I'm quite pleased with this one! Phalacrocorax sure are a charismatic bunch.
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| European Shag, ©Photo Nature, via Flickr Creative Commons. |
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| European Shag sketch. |
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