Birds,butterflies, bees and other insects, airplanes, balloons, bubbles, kites….well, this week, Tina invites us to be creative and choose whichever flying objects that catches our imagination and our lens. Go to her amazingly beautiful post to visit Kiawah!
I don’t have a perfect long lens, so I will stick with the Galapagos Islands, where you have no need for a long lens, but get to see and love all wildlife close-up, just by your side. And, they do have one of the funniest birds for taking flight…
Also called the waved albatross, the Galapagos albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) is the largest bird in the Galapagos, with a wingspan of up to 250 centimetres (8.2 feet). They breed exclusively on Española Island.
The Galapagos albatross engages in a rather elaborate courtship dance, and as our timing was right, we were lucky enough to see this on our trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2016.
The dance involves a good deal of bill circling and bill clacking. There is also head nodding, and waddling. The waved albatross makes a strange sound during the dance, not dissimilar to the moo of a cow. Once an albatross has selected a partner, they mate for life.Albatrosses live much longer than other birds; they delay breeding for longer and invest more effort into fewer young. Most species survive upwards of 50 years, and the oldest recorded was ringed in 1956 as a mature adult and hatched another chick in February 2021, making her at least 70 years old. In fact she is the oldest confirmed wild bird and the oldest banded bird in the world.These birds weigh between 2.7 and 4 kilograms (6 – 8.8 pounds) and males are typically quite a lot heavier than females. When taking off, albatrosses need to take a run up to allow enough air to move under the wing to provide a lift. We saw them run up to the edge of the cliff and jump off to propel themselves into the air. I was sitting 5-10 meters from the action. However, landing is also quite tricky for this large bird. Because the albatross has a high stalling speed, the landing can seem rather clumsy. (Who doesn’t remember that Disney movie with Orville the Albatross…?) Seeing a waved albatross fly is quite the sight, they are amazing flyers, soaring dynamically. They stay in the air for many hours and they rarely stall. That’s why sailors used to believe these birds were supernatural. Due to their great wingspan the bird glides gracefully while up in the skies. In fact the wingspans of the largest great albatrosses (genus Diomedea) are the largest of any bird, exceeding 340 cm (11.2 ft),
In nautical lore, albatrosses are a sign of good fortune, and killing one is meant to bring bad luck. As in Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Thank you for your responses to last week’s Colorful April challenge – you shared some amazing examples of April’s incredible beauty. We look forward to seeing your interpretation of this week’s Taking Flight challenge – please remember to link to Tina’s original post and to include the Lens-Artists Tag. We hope you’ll join us again next week when we welcome our Guest Host, Priscilla of Scillagrace . Be sure to check out her ever-thoughtful and interesting blog.
Marvellous! I was in the Galapagos Islands in 1999, and have a similar photo of an albatross taking flight after running off the cliff edge — however, my photos from then are such terrible quality that I’m not about to post them!
Your photos of the mated Albatross pair in their courtship dance are absolutely endearing, lovely photos of the two lovebirds. I love that they mate for life. Interned a lot from your photo essay!
Here’s my submission this week, featuring a great blue heron.
Ohhhh, Galapagos, another of my dream locations. Life is definitely too short to visit all your dream locations in only one life. I‘m voting for a way longer life-time
What fabulous luck, seeing the courtship dance. I loved the photos, of the courtship as well as the birds in flight. Didn’t know that interesting bit about albatrosses landing.
You have made my day and my week with these absolutely beautiful photos which truly make my heart sing ! Methinks those birds in their courtship could teach us all a thing or two . . .
Wonderful choice for the week Ann-Christine, not only did I enjoy it, I learned so much! I do remember the Rime of the Ancient Mariner but it means so much more having understood this marvelous bird! The images are wonderful, especially loved your opener with the two birds.
Glad you liked them, Tina! My days on those islands are forever treasured. I loved the fact that no animal shied away from humans – Paradise.
I loved especially your barrel owl portrait. So close to your home too! Otherwise I have the notion most of your birds there are connected to water. The spoonbills are truly amazing. Are the birds used to humans or do you always have to use a long lens? My arms and neck do not support long lenses, unfortunately, so Galapagos was a haven in that sense too.
I am glad to have you remembering! When did you go? Good memories they are – when a childhood dream comes true, there will always be a shimmering glory over it.
We were there way back 15 years ago! So hard to believe it was that long ago.
Yes…time flies…always, always
Wow, Ann-Christine. This is fabulous! I had no idea albatrosses were so large and they had to get up to speed to lift off! Wonderful! This is an absolute stellar post!
Leya 
Wow, time spent in the Galapagos; what a dream visit! And albatross, too!
The first ”head butting” image of a bonding ritual was my favourite! 😉
Thank you, Henry – unforgettable days…
Marvellous! I was in the Galapagos Islands in 1999, and have a similar photo of an albatross taking flight after running off the cliff edge — however, my photos from then are such terrible quality that I’m not about to post them!
Well, I know what you mean – there’s a big difference with the new cameras!
Fantastic post, Ann-Christine!!!
The first image is wonderful, love it!
♥ Thank you, Ana! Easy to do when the birds are as friendly and cooperative as on these islands!
Dear Leya
Your photos of the mated Albatross pair in their courtship dance are absolutely endearing, lovely photos of the two lovebirds. I love that they mate for life. Interned a lot from your photo essay!
Here’s my submission this week, featuring a great blue heron.
Best, Babsje
So glad you enjoyed the theme – and I am happy you are here!
Thanks! You took me on a vacation to the Galapagos for which I am grateful. Fascinating post! Best. Babsje
♥ Thank you, happy you joined me there!
😊 ❤
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Superb set of images, Leya & a fantastic biology lesson as well 😃
Thanks Jez – much appreciated comment!
Thank you AC for introduing this lovely bird to us. I knew nothing about them, how interesting.
The last two images are my favorite. Great captures!!
Thank you, Amy – happy you liked it!
Fun and informative post A-C. Enjoyed it…well done 🙂
Thank you very much – my pleasure.
Beautiful images Ann-Christine, I especially love the close-ups of the courting albatross – such a treat to see! 💖
Thank you, Xenia! We were so lucky!
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Wonderful shots of the albatross, Ann-Christine! The first one where they are head to head is so sweet.
Aren’t they? It was an unbelievably strong sound hearing them clacking their beaks together.
Wonderful series of photos!
Happy to share, Aletta!
💕👍
Beautiful birds in flight, those albatrosses. Great image collection of those natural aviators in our midst.
Glad you enjoyed them flying, John!
Oh, how I’d love to see an albatross! But this is definitely going a long way towards meeting my wish!
You would love them, I know!
Great shots of these impressive albatroses. For me picture n°8 is (for me) a top shot.
Thank you so much for your positive comment!
Love your shots!
Thank you, Teresa!
Ohhhh, Galapagos, another of my dream locations. Life is definitely too short to visit all your dream locations in only one life. I‘m voting for a way longer life-time
Me too – or maybe in another life we can visit other places…
😊
What fabulous luck, seeing the courtship dance. I loved the photos, of the courtship as well as the birds in flight. Didn’t know that interesting bit about albatrosses landing.
It is a very special bird, which I am grateful to have seen up close. So glad you enjoyed them!
You have made my day and my week with these absolutely beautiful photos which truly make my heart sing ! Methinks those birds in their courtship could teach us all a thing or two . . .
Glad you enjoyed them, Eha! They truly made my heart sing as well!
Wonderful choice for the week Ann-Christine, not only did I enjoy it, I learned so much! I do remember the Rime of the Ancient Mariner but it means so much more having understood this marvelous bird! The images are wonderful, especially loved your opener with the two birds.
Glad you liked them, Tina! My days on those islands are forever treasured. I loved the fact that no animal shied away from humans – Paradise.
I loved especially your barrel owl portrait. So close to your home too! Otherwise I have the notion most of your birds there are connected to water. The spoonbills are truly amazing. Are the birds used to humans or do you always have to use a long lens? My arms and neck do not support long lenses, unfortunately, so Galapagos was a haven in that sense too.
What a marvelous collection of photos of these magnificent birds. Their courtship is charming and they look so impressive in flight.
I am so happy you like them, Anne. I still have difficulties understanding I really was there! So grateful.
Your timing, I agree was perfect. Thank you for adding all the information (in both measurements). Amazing. Wow!
Thank you, Marlene! Sometimes we are lucky, and this was a lucky one.
these photos are priceless. What an opportunity!
Thank you, VJ – I must agree, to me these days out there will be shining memories forever.
I can see why! Welcome.
♥
Beautiful images Ann Christine! And thanks for telling us all about the albatross. To have a bird that large and live so long–wow!
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. Those days out there belong to my best days ever. Unbelievable bird, isn’t it?
Wonderful post – your photos made me feel like I was there again! Such good memories.
I am glad to have you remembering! When did you go? Good memories they are – when a childhood dream comes true, there will always be a shimmering glory over it.
We were there way back 15 years ago! So hard to believe it was that long ago.
Yes…time flies…always, always
Wow, Ann-Christine. This is fabulous! I had no idea albatrosses were so large and they had to get up to speed to lift off! Wonderful! This is an absolute stellar post!
Thank you so much, Patti! Our days on the islands are the most fabulous memories. It is still unbelievable we were actually there.
I feel that way about Fiji. It’s magical.
I almost thought so, Patti. It shines through both words and images!
Amazing post!! Happy Earth Day on Thursday!
Happy Earth Day!
I so love this post Ann- Christine. What a wonderful sight to see the courtship dance and watch the take off so close. 🙂 🙂
Glad you like it too, Brian. Those days will always be some of my best ever. Paradise.
Thanks for letting me see such an interesting ritual and for your explanation. Being on those islands must have been a marvelous experience.
janet
Those days are among my best ever, Janet. Unforgettable. But that is the way it is when your dreams are realized. I am very grateful.
Superb photos. ‘When you can’t figure something out, put your heads together.’ Aye, bad luck, RE: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rime_of_the_Ancient_Mariner
Thank you, John! For the Rime as well!
How wonderful to be there to see them do their mating dance! You were able to get some amazing shots of them. Thanks for sharing.
Beth, those days on those islands are unforgettable. We all have our unforgettable moments…and these are some of mine.
I always love seeing photos from the Galapagos Islands as I was lucky enough to visit there myself quite a while ago.
I have the same feeling. I love to visit again and again and remember how it was!
Love the courtship but not sure I’d want a youngster in my 70s 🙂 🙂 Happy just to watch these magnificent creatures, Ann-Christine.
😀 😀 😀 You are always hilarious, Jo!
How utterly marvellous. Albatross. They seem to belong to some mythic dimension. What a thrill it must have been to be amongst them.
It was, Tish. To this day I have difficulties in believing I really was there… But maybe that is a bit of your feelings for Africa?
Very similar reaction to our Africa experiences, A-C. Some things are so marvellous they are hard to absorb or process 🙂
♥
Fabulous images! What a fantastic experience your Galapagos trip was, Ann Christine
It was, Sue. I still feel…was it really true? Was I really there? A world without cameras is unthinkable.
You have a point there, A C!
♥
What marvelous experiences on Galapagos. I’m not sure I’ll ever get there, so thanks for posting what you remembered most.
I would go again if it were possible! Wonders on every island and there were islands we did not visit.
The first couple of photos, they are so adorable. What a great series for flying 😀
Thank you, Cee. Lovely creatures.
Arent those albatross beautiful. I would love to see one close up. Thank you for sharing
Love them too. It was almost unbelievable to see them so close, not afraid of humans at all.