There are a group of Albatross species that are broadly known as The Great Albatrosses. The Great Albatrosses are divided into two species complexes, the 'Wandering and Amsterdam Albatrosses', and the 'Royal Albatrosses'. The splitting of the great albatrosses into six or seven species has been accepted by most, though not all, authorities.
I have to say that the ability of some people to be able to split these species in the field is nothing short of remarkable - although it has to said that readily available images on the back of a camera are of great help.
This week's WBW bird is a Diomedea exulans - which is also know as the Snowy Albatross, the White-Winged Albatross and the Wandering Albatross.
The Snowy Albatross has the longest wingspan of any living bird, reaching upwards of 3.5 m (11 ft), and adults can weigh from 5.9 to 12.7 kg (13 to 28 lb). They are by any standard a large and impressive bird. And as they glide in towards the boat - and occasionally settle on the water near it - they are an utter joy to watch.
These birds breed on a small number of sub-antarctic islands, but they can be seen anywhere in the southern oceans that surround Antartica. By any stretch of the imagination that's a lot water to call home.
I may have said it before and I'll probably say it again, but if you get the chance to see any albatross - take it.
To join in with WBW click on the link below. Hope all is well, SM
Hi Stewart, beautiful photos of the albatross. We don't have them here. Greets.
ReplyDeleteI love the Albatross..Great pictures Stewart....I may have some birdies for you next week..The Robins have been inhabiting my birdbath lately...Enjoy the rest of your week..
ReplyDeleteInspiring photo Stuart. Thank you aloha
ReplyDeleteSo full of life here
ReplyDeleteGood advice. Albatrosses are such splendid creatures, mind-altering almost. You are spending a lot of time shuttling between Victoria and Tasmania. Not hard to understand why.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteSheer delight! YAM xx
wish to see the albatross in the nature ..... beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteAmazing! The wingspan, that beak…thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe year I started Birding in N.I. was the year that the first 3 Little Egrets flew into Castle Espie in Co. Down and as you say now they have spread all over Ireland and we also see the Great Egret in N.Irealnd and I think the Catle Egret in Southern Ireland. These shots of this magnificent bird is superb Stewart. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a great week ahead
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of a magnificent bird!
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