Wednesday 15 April 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday 143 - Shy Albatross

When you get to have a look at some of these pictures you will realise that these birds are rather inaccurately named!

Over the Easter holidays I was out in a boat doing a spot of fishing - and what a nice evening meal we had that day! - when we were joined by up sone Shy Albatross.  They gradually gradually over a couple of hours, first one, then so more and eventually we had six around the boat.  They were just loafing about hoping for some free fish - which we provided - and then they would just effortlessly follow the boat whenever it moved.  I enjoyed the fishing - but the albatross were better!

The Shy Albatross - Thalassarche cauta - is (confusingly) described as the largest of the medium sized albatrosses, which is the kind of thing that makes me weep when I see it in a guide book.

Luckily, they have a noticeable black patch in their 'armpit' which can be used to ID them.  Now, to be honest, I think all of these birds are Shy Albatross - and all the ones I saw on the wing had the black armpit.  But I am not sure I saw all of the birds on the wing - and once they are the water, I don't have much experience with this group of birds.

The truth of the matter is that they are wonderful birds regardless of whatever name we have invented for them - and it was a real pleasure having them around the boat all morning.














Now its over to you - click on the blue button and link away!  SM

45 comments:

  1. Lovley photos of the Albatross .Nette

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  2. amazing looking birds! love the close-up shot of the eye and that fabulous eyebrow ridge!

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  3. How great to have such a close photographic opportunity with Albatrosses! Your shots are just great, I'm amazed how high they float in the water. The action shots are fun, and I like looking at the amazing water textures too.

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  4. They are a very handsome bird. Great shots. And apparently not shy when it comes to free fish!

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  5. The Albatross have such amazing faces. I enjoy seeing these birds up close....hopefully one day?:) Pelagics make me smile. Good looking sea birds!

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  6. Wonderful close ups Stewarts!
    Excellent capture of the fishing moment.

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  7. Amazing!!!!First i thought its only some black gulls but Wowowow!!Lucky!!!

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  8. What a terrific fisherman. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Super shots of your fishing competitors.

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  10. Oh, these are fantastic, Stewart!! Awesome captures and such great detail!!

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  11. Hi Stewart, they are cool looking birds. They do not seem very shy, it must be the free fish! I love the closeups and photos. Awesome series!

    Thanks for hosting, enjoy the rest of your week!

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  12. Thanks for the great photos of the Albatross. They look like they are scowling with those brows :)

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  13. Wow! What a treat to see those wonderful (and ancient) species, large, small or medium. Your right Stewart in that field guides can be very irritating sometimes.

    I don't think I would have done much fishing that day either just in case there were other birds around.

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  14. Wonderful pics! Especially the one of the albatross in action catching the fish.

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  15. What great photos. Sounds like these birds kept you in good company.

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  16. Hari OM
    Oh my word I am having jelly conniptions over here...that's kind of a good thing, though sounding ugly...

    You promised and you delivered! I adore the 'triplets' - couldn't get the image of flying wall ducks out of my head!!! Yup. Totes jelly mate... &*> YAM xx

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  17. I've never seen a close up photo of an albatross, so this was cool. They are neat looking birds.

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  18. Gorgeous birds! That stout beak is fantastic!

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  19. I didn't know that the albatross (shy or otherwise) was even a real bird. Or maybe I thought it was extinct. I remember it from a poem in lit class.

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  20. Such handsome birds. These are wonderful captures.

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  21. Wow..The one with the fish is superb..I love their eyes..They look very stern..Beautiful birds Stewart..Awesome

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  22. Awesome photos, Stewart, especially the photo where one of the Albatrosses caught his meal. They are gorgeous birds and appear to be quite friendly. You indeed had a fantastic day.

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  23. I never knew there was a "shy"albatross. These look just like the ones I saw daily on Midway island, and have almost NO pictures of, but I will double check. GREAT photos! What fun to have them shadowing your boat! Love the action shot with the fish.

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  24. OH MY WORD, Stewart! I gasped between each of the three words! What amazing captures! I kept scrolling back to see the fantastic shots. *sigh* and here I am with my meager shorts of plain birds. But I love joining up to your meme; the bird blogs only serve to encourage me to carry on trying. Thanks for hosting. Jo

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  25. Oh wow, Stewart!! Beautiful images and what a fabulous experience! The Albatross is on my birding bucket list!

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  26. Awesome photos of these handsome birds!

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  27. Beautiful photos of beautiful birds; but I have to admit I am jealous about that fresh fish dinner!!! :)

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  28. Great photographs of this bird species! I especially like the action shots.

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  29. An amazing series of photos! They have fascinating faces ... a little bit angry looking! :)

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  30. I have to admit when I first saw your photographs I immediately thought of the eagle from The Muppets! Such commanding looking birds.

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  31. Love those pristine white feathers - just stunning and your food-grab shot is great, Stewart! Beautiful birds! I would have fished just for them :)

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  32. Better to be the largest of the medium rather than the largest of the smallest---oops---isn't that an oxy-moron? LOL
    Interesting bird though and you must lift EVERY wing.
    MB

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  33. Awesome birds, Stewart - that second to last shot is a real prize winner!!

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  34. Wow, absolutely amazing!!

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  35. Ah such a distinguished looking bird with his deep set eyes and large schnoz ... and a reputation for bringing good luck or, if you read Samuel Taylor Coleridge a great burden, if you should kill one that is. I love this bird and am so glad you were lucky enough to spend some time with them and feed them. Your life was already blessed and now you have the luck that the Albatros will bring. Couldn't happen to a finer photographer, father and family man :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  36. Splendid photos of the Albatross. They are such interesting looking birds.

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  37. Great pictures, especially the action shots.

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  38. Fantastic images of a wonderful bird. It reminded me of when I did a pelagic trip in Australia.

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  39. They are beautiful birds Stewart. The bats at federation square were quite intriguing. Thanks for stopping by.

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  40. They are smaller than I expected - but oh so lovely! Wonderful beaks.

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  41. Wonderful close-ups! Too bad they have to go through life looking so serious!

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  42. You have captured the beauty of the Albatross in a wonderful series of photos.
    Moni

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