Immature Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris melanophris) Pacific Ocean off Sydney NSW

[Rod Warnock]

Immature Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris melanophris) Pacific Ocean off Sydney NSW
Canon EOS 40D Lens 100-400mm L IS USM at 100mm ISO 640 8.0 1/2500 available light 12 June 2010
I had taken the image along with some dozens of others and didn't notice the bands on the legs until I downloaded the image. Here is the initial information on this particular bird.
Lindsay Smith of SOSSA (Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association) commented:"Thank you for sending these images of an immature Black-browed Albatross. The Green darvic band with the three digits will help identify the origins of this bird. However, at this stage I am uncertain of who is colour marking BBAs.
My initial thoughts are that this bird is about 3-4 years old, it is indeed a Black-browed Albatross and not a Campbell Albatross. I strongly suspect that the bird is from Kerguelen Is in the South Indian Ocean rather than from the South Atlantic Ocean or elsewhere. Though it is possible that it could be from Bird Island South Georgia.
Also it is difficult to age this bird as I need to zoom in on the primary feathers to determine the state of moult. Any additional images of this bird, particularly the upper surface of the outer wing would be helpful."
It will be interesting to see what turns up.
The Australian Museum web presence has an excellent fact page on the Black-browed Albatross at:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Black-browed-Albatross (http://australianmuseum.net.au/Black-browed-Albatross)
While the SOSSA link is:
http://www.sossa-international.org/Pages/Front%20Pages/AboutSOSSA.htm
These sites give an overview of the albatross species plus a summaryof SOSSA studies.

Thanks for viewing
Best regards
Rod Warnock

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely buoyant feel, Rod. I like the fact that there are 2 birds in the mage and their poses are very complementary. Some of the whites are a bit hot and may be recoverable.

[Rod Warnock]

Thanks Tony !! I took it with both birds in mind then for a while toyed with cloning out the bottom bird. Actually in the larger version there is plenty of detail in the whites but somewhere in the reduction process they seem to be a bit hotter. HOwever on other images the whites had no detail as the morning was very bright.
Best regards
Rod

[Tony Whitehead]

Rod, I sometimes find converting to sRGB and sharpening for web pushes areas over the edge.

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely image Rod and excellent pose by both birds , nice BG too
TFS

[Kiran Poonacha]

Nice setting here.. the little OOF bird adds well...