ML419492321

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Exceptional record. The first sight record for Tassie and about the 4th or 5th for Australia. Great albatross in the Wandering Albatross complex with mostly dark brown plumage. Bill relatively heavy, lacking pinched mid-bill typical of NZ forms, prominent dark cutting edge along full length of bill; distinct and unequivocal, broadest along distal third, but still distinct for remaining two thirds reaching almost to gape. Plumage broadly consistent with many white-bellied brown great albatross; distinctive features included relatively intact all-dark cap, extending weakly down neck sides/rear of pale face, white face that lacked obvious dark intrusion in proximity to ear coverts typical of antipodensis, evidence that nape and neck sides plumage was progressing to paler plumage at a faster rate than adjacent feather tracts. Many photos. Bird did 3 or 4 passes of boat but never landed on water and soon departed to the east so legs were never lowered and are not evident in any photos (that is there was no opportunity to detect/observe bands if present)

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

1600

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

4500 pixels x 3000 pixels

Original file size

997.89 KB