Gibson's Albatross
Diomedea [exulans] gibsoni
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Gibson's Albatross is a member of the Wandering Albatross complex, and with a wingspan of close to 3.5m is an awe inspiring sight as it gracefully soars over the waves.
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Albatrosses are supremely adapted to gliding flight and are extremely efficient fliers so long as there is enough of a wind to provide sufficient updraft to keep these heavy birds aloft.
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Due to their huge size the Gibson's Albatrosses were the dominant birds at Kaikoura, chasing everything else away from the bait with ease...
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
...but violent squabbles between themselves were still quite frequent...
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
In the close-up shot below (taken with a macro lens at a distance of about 1m), the narrow, flattened nostril that is characteristic of Wandering Albatrosses is clearly visible. The Royal Albatrosses in comparison have wide, bulbous, upward-pointing nostrils.
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Juveniles and females (below) have more brown markings than adult males (above).
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
Kaikoura, New Zealand - November 2005
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