ALBATROSSES- Click on the photo for enlarged image. |
The most impressive of seabirds, and also the most endangered due to their well-known attraction to fishing vessels. The number of species varies according to latest taxonomic thinking, but I have photographed all taxa as far as I know except Amsterdam, all appear here although some are "record shots". All the Wandering types have numerous intermediate plumages as they age, and whilst they may indeed be good species it is impossible to identify them to form unless you know the age and sex of an individual. Most are identified on range and balance of probabilities, but even range isn't 100% reliable as they wander such vast distances in search of food. Even Amsterdam has only one diagnostic feature, its bill colour, but there are so few I would eliminate it unless in the area of the Subantarctic Indian Ocean. Thankfully most other Albatrosses are more distinctive, at least as adults, enjoy the photos! |
AA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN & ANN TATE
e-mail:-aabirdpix@btinternet.com