They are the coolest birds out there.  No question.  The first verse is from the perspective of a storm petrel and the second is from the perspective of a red-footed booby.

I was pattering on the water just minding my own business when this great big giant brute came down and knocked me off my wing
I didn’t see it coming but I knew my days were over when I saw those big white flashes and then I couldn’t feel a thing
It came up from the godless zone ‘bout sixty degrees south of the middle of the big blue orb that I used to call my home
And now it’s plucking all my feathers ripping up my flesh and eating every little bit including all the skin and bone

South Polar Skua The killer of the skies an enemy of mine
South Polar Skua it’s death in a disguise I hope it passes by

The flying fish jumped up and flew away from the great white ship that would have mowed it down at a blistering ten knots 
So I dove on down to get it and post a little chase I grabbed that hapless fish and tossed it headfirst into my throat
But that asshole saw me do it and like a tractor beam he zeroed in and crashed into me causing me to barf it up
He caught it on the downfall as I beat a quick retreat I’ll find my lunch on the wing elsewhere as of now I’ve had enough

South Polar Skua The pirate of the skies eats fish that once were mine
South Polar Skua’s thieving is my demise but to him it’s how he thrives

It’s got barrel chested massiveness and powerful wingbeats that take it everywhere you might expect a bird to be and more
Traversing oceans north and south unless it’s on its nest you’re never safe from an attack even if you’re resting on the shore
They say it’s one of least concern unless you are a victim of its tendency to destroy everything that’s in its way
An aerial torpedo that flies hot straight and normal a dark streak on the horizon that always makes my day

South Polar Skua thug life on the wing my favorite flying thing
South Polar Skua Stercorarius I think maccormicki


South Polar Skua

This is the Bonin Petrels 2nd album.  All music was written and recorded on the research vessel "Ocean Starr" during the Southwest Fisheries Science Center's "CalCurCEAS" cetacean and seabird research cruise along the west coast of the United States from August - November 2014.  Vocals were recorded at Metalmücil Studios in Washington in late November 2014.  

All instruments were played by Adam Ü with the exception of the bass on "Jessica Albacore" - Eric Archer.  

Cover art by Eric Keen

Hove To

This album was entirely recorded at sea on the R/V Ocean Starr from Sept. 26 - Dec. 3, 2015 during the NOAA/SEMARNAT/TMMC Vaquita Survey off San Felipe, MX

Special thanks to SEMARNAT, NOAA, SWFSC, TMMC, the last remaining Vaquita (Phocoena sinus), my colleagues and shipmates for the past two months, 3 Inches of Blood, Hot Buttered Rum, Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer, Tess Golling, and Jack the Fluff.

Dedicated to Chris Cutler - Observer 228

Topo Chico

Killer Whales, Dude!

Sitting On The Hook

Pelicans

Battle Of The Beaufort

Snack Club

Mummified Dolphin Skull On The Beach

Blue Tape Blues

Vicki Vaquita

This is the first single from "Phocoena sinus Infection" - the third album from the Bonin Petrels.

The Bonin Petrels

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