Roger and Linda – Peltragics

Who isn't impressed by ocean-going birds?!

These are amateur shots, taken using a Canon EOS digital SLR with an 18-200mm zoom. The convenience of a wide-range zoom naturally compromises the image-quality.

Click on any image to see a larger version.

2 Dec 2008 – Off Kaikoura (NE of South Island of N.Z.)

The operator (Albatross Encounter) said we were at 42/30 South by 173/43 East.

Here are shots of 13 species of pelagics, and one uninvited guest.

Starting with Miscellaneous 'Small' Birds
Sooty Shearwater ...
... again ...
... its wing-furl ...
... and a float
Hutton's Shearwater ...
... Detail
Gannet
White-Chinned Petrel
Black-Backed Gull ...
... again ...
... with Red-Billed Gulls ...
... and the Red-Billed Gull
Cape Pigeon – On the water...
... Landing ...
... Over Water
Westland Petrel ...
... and in the Air
Fairy Prion ...
... shy, and hard to photograph!

Giant Petrel
Giant Petrel over water ...
... landing ...
... its plumage ...
... the melee ...
... chasing the bait ...
... chasing bait again ...
... but note the dominance of ...
... the wandering abatross

Wandering Albatross
Wandering Albatross ...
... showing the wing-span ...
... on the water ...
... and immature

Black-Browed Albatross
Black-Browed Albatross ...
... Close-up

(Southern) Royal Albatross
Royal Albatross – Approach ...
... landing ...
... landed and folding (Salvin's in background) ...
... on water ...
... on water ...
... close-up ...
... face-off ...
... again ...

Salvin's Albatross
In flight ...
... closing in ...
... checking out the prospects ...
... approach (with Giant Petrel and Royal Albatross) ...
... landing ...
... again ...
... close-up ...
... and take-off (note wing-damage)

The Plumage of a (Royal?) Albatross

Size Comparisons

And an interloper (a dusky dolphin) – least-worst shot, from 7 attempts

This is a page within the Clarke-Spinaze Photo Gallery. The site home-page is here

Contact: Linda or Roger

Created: 29 November 2009; Last Amended: 29 November 2009