These are Black-winged Petrels (Pterodroma nigripennis), a fast flying bird about 28-30 cm long. And like most petrels, they are very acrobatic flyers, making them very difficult to follow in flight. Added to that is that when they do land on the ground, it tends to be half way but a cliff!
These birds were zooming (a technical term) around the cliffs where they nest on Neds Beach on Lord Howe. Although I did not realise it fully at the time, this is a bird with another great migration story.
In Australia they only breed on a couple of islands off the east coast, Lord Howe being one of them. In our winter these birds are found in north central Pacific from Japan to Hawaii and coastal central America. Thats impressive.
Now it's over to you to join in - click the blue button and off you go. SM
Lovely photos of an interesting bird. Migration never ceases to amaze me! Have a good week Diane
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart, wonderful captures of the Black Winged Petrel. I could easily confuse it with a gull. Thanks for hosting, have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flight shots ...amazing to think of that migration .... Smiled at your family going in search of food while you took these wonderful photos ..that's how you know you're a true professional bird photographer, when it comes before eating! Speaking of professional, was delighted you used "technical" birding terms like zooming ... If you can do it, it makes me feel better about my birding vocabulary, or lack of it. (Only I suspect you actually know the right words and I never do.). Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou did superbly well to get those shots Stewart. Flight shots never easy, let alone with a Petrel.
ReplyDeleteLovely birds! Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteVery nice flight shots!
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) A difficult bird to photograph, but your flight shots of the Black Winged Petrel are great. It's a lovely bird!
ReplyDeleteAlways amazes me how far these birds can fly. Fantastic photos Stewart.
ReplyDeletebirds and yetis have to be the hardest creatures to photograph. But we keep trying :)
ReplyDeleteThat last flight photo is superb! Very interesting narrative about a bird I do not expect to ever see.
ReplyDeleteYou still got great aerial shots. You must have a good trigger finger.
ReplyDeletebeautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you got some good shots, despite the speedy birds!
ReplyDeleteWow....some GREAT images. And educational post as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat in flight captures.
ReplyDeleteYou really have some great sea birds on your posts. Lovely shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful series, Stewart! Petrels are on my ultimate bucket list of birds!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how long some birds fly to migrate.
ReplyDeleteGreat snaps - particularly with the azure skies!
Have a Great Week, Stewart!
Peace :)
PS. I have included a 'bird', which an Ornithologist might sneeze at, but I promise I will do better :)
Well done on the high flying in motion shots. That's difficult to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteDistinctive markings under the wings as seen overhead. A handsome bird, for sure! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteA great series, especially with having to work to hard on an empty stomach. I do appreciate how you share you knowledge and pictures with us and host Wildbirds.
ReplyDeleteStewart, great captures of the Black-winged Petrel in flight. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures would not be easy Stewart. I think you did exceptionally well, particularly aginst the sky.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds!
ReplyDeletePretty markings...Great motion shots..They make me dizzy..
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Looks like they led you on quite the chase!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful petrols! I assume your family came back for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! The migrations that many creatures undertake are amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite being the Monarch butterfly.
You did pretty good capturing these, Stewart! I hope you're feeling better.
ReplyDelete