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
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45 comments:

  1. Nette Cecilia15 April 2015 at 03:11

    Lovley photos of the Albatross .Nette

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  2. TexWisGirl15 April 2015 at 03:12

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

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  3. Hannah15 April 2015 at 03:15

    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. Sharon Wagner15 April 2015 at 03:16

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

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  5. Rohrerbot15 April 2015 at 03:19

    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. Carletta15 April 2015 at 03:22

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

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  7. Anita15 April 2015 at 03:26

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

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  8. Hootin Anni15 April 2015 at 03:26

    Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!!!

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  9. DougPhoto200915 April 2015 at 03:38

    What a terrific fisherman. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. FAB15 April 2015 at 03:43

    Super shots of your fishing competitors.

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  11. Sylvia K15 April 2015 at 03:44

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

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  12. eileeninmd15 April 2015 at 04:01

    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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  13. thewovenspoke15 April 2015 at 04:06

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

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  14. Phil Slade15 April 2015 at 04:34

    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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  15. Linda W.15 April 2015 at 05:01

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

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  16. Joyful15 April 2015 at 05:05

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

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  17. Yamini MacLean15 April 2015 at 06:10

    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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  18. Author R. Mac Wheeler15 April 2015 at 06:34

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

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  19. Brian King15 April 2015 at 06:37

    Gorgeous birds! That stout beak is fantastic!

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  20. Sallie (FullTime-Life)15 April 2015 at 06:50

    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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  21. Anonymous15 April 2015 at 07:03

    Such handsome birds. These are wonderful captures.

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  22. This N That15 April 2015 at 07:42

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

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  23. cedarmerefarm15 April 2015 at 12:55

    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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  24. A Colorful World15 April 2015 at 13:12

    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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  25. Jo15 April 2015 at 15:53

    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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  26. Liz15 April 2015 at 15:57

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

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  27. Vineeta Yashsavi15 April 2015 at 17:05

    All pictures are too good

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  28. Unknown15 April 2015 at 17:19

    Awesome photos of these handsome birds!

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  29. Lee15 April 2015 at 18:02

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

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  30. Anne (cornucopia)15 April 2015 at 18:51

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

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  31. maryaustria15 April 2015 at 20:19

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

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  32. Jibberjabberuk15 April 2015 at 22:32

    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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  33. Inspired By June15 April 2015 at 23:13

    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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  34. Small City Scenes16 April 2015 at 00:26

    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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  35. Montanagirl16 April 2015 at 00:52

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

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  36. Maude Lynn16 April 2015 at 01:17

    Gorgeous shots, Stewart!

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  37. Anonymous16 April 2015 at 02:35

    Wow, absolutely amazing!!

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  38. Andrea @ From The Sol16 April 2015 at 04:47

    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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  39. DeniseinVA16 April 2015 at 09:49

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

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  40. Linda16 April 2015 at 13:03

    Great pictures, especially the action shots.

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  41. Margaret Birding For Pleasure16 April 2015 at 13:37

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

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  42. Joe16 April 2015 at 14:41

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

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  43. Anonymous17 April 2015 at 00:06

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

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  44. Kenneth Cole Schneider17 April 2015 at 06:31

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

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  45. Minkamo20 April 2015 at 03:05

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

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