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- #1
We have returned from our visit to the South Island of New Zealand.
The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) was a special highlight.
The Northern Royal Albatross only nest in one location in the world habitated by humans, and this is it!
We came at peak incubation season so many of the birds were looking after eggs and/or newly hatched chicks.
We decided not to do the tour of the nesting site, rather take our chances on the short window in late afternoon when the albatross may take flight against the cliffs, using the strong updraft to assist their flight.
Conditions for photography were far from ideal, bright afternoon sunlight, extreme winds which blew me off my feet at times, and no options for a change in vantage point - use the observation deck or nothing!!
By 4:30pm no albatross had been sighted and we were beginning to lose hope, when suddenly one, then a couple, then maybe 10 albatross appeared.
I tried my best in the conditions to get some good shots, the albatross did cooperate but the sun and wind were against me.
Then about 20 minutes later the albatross were gone, back to the nesting sites.
The following are a couple of the few of the better images I managed to capture.
The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) was a special highlight.
The Northern Royal Albatross only nest in one location in the world habitated by humans, and this is it!
We came at peak incubation season so many of the birds were looking after eggs and/or newly hatched chicks.
We decided not to do the tour of the nesting site, rather take our chances on the short window in late afternoon when the albatross may take flight against the cliffs, using the strong updraft to assist their flight.
Conditions for photography were far from ideal, bright afternoon sunlight, extreme winds which blew me off my feet at times, and no options for a change in vantage point - use the observation deck or nothing!!
By 4:30pm no albatross had been sighted and we were beginning to lose hope, when suddenly one, then a couple, then maybe 10 albatross appeared.
I tried my best in the conditions to get some good shots, the albatross did cooperate but the sun and wind were against me.
Then about 20 minutes later the albatross were gone, back to the nesting sites.
The following are a couple of the few of the better images I managed to capture.
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