New Zealand - November 2006
Gibson's Albatross : page 1
Gibson's Albatross
Snowy Albatross
Southern Royal Albatross
Northern Royal Albatross
Black-browed Albatross
Salvin's Albatross
White-capped Albatross
The commonest great albatross off Kaikoura. The experience of seeing your first appear at the stern of the fast moving boat as you motor off shore is simply breathtaking, you want to stop to allow it to get closer but then you realise that they are suddenly all around you. Simply fantastic. Go do it, you will not regret it.
This seabird mellie off Kaikoura has 4 Gibson's Albatrosses, 3 Salvin's Albatrosses (rear end of one at the right field of view), 2 Northern Giant Petrels bottom right, 2 Black Petrels amongst the Alberts along with several more in flight and 1 bottom right and 4 Cape Petrels; and this is what I could fit in frame.
In direct comparison the differences between Northern Royal (left) and Gibson's (right) Albatrosses is apparent.
You think Salvin's Albatross is big until a Gibson's appears.
