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Me and the Albatross Day 24
Me and the Albatross Day 24
slaakso


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Olympus E-510
Lens: Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital
Location: Kilauea, HI - Kaua`i
Date: Jan 24, 2008
Aperture: f:8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Portraiture, Animals
Date Uploaded: Jan 24, 2008

Viewed: 262
Comments: 14
Favorites: 0

 I went out to take photographs for the bird challenge and ended up being in the photograph, assisting the rescue of a Laysan Albatross. The Albatross landed in an area that it couldn't get out of and was in need of rescue. Someone had called to report the bird and the, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services biologist Brenda Zaun, came to the rescue. She had to climb a fence with barbed wire on top and go down through the shrubs and a small building next to the fence to rescue the bird.

Brenda asked how I was with handling an Albatross, I said I never had but happy to help a bird in need. I had a crash course in Albatross handling which means hold the beak or get bitten and hold the wing and bird gently under the arm. Wow!
It was such a treat to hold an Albatross that I don't mind all the scratches I got as souvenirs.

I hate being in photos so I was reluctant to post this one but it was such an amazing experience that I could not, not post it.

Laysan Albatross or Moli
Diomedea immutabilis

Indigenous

Distribution: nests in large numbers in the northwest chain. On main islands nests on Kaua`i at Kilauea Point NWR and Barking Sands Beach. Seen in increasing numbers on north and east shores of O`ahu; has been observed on Moloka`i, Lana`i, and Hawai`i. When away from nesting colony, ranges widely over the north and central Pacific.

© from, Hawaii's Birds, by Hawaii Audubon Society //www.hawaiiaudubon.com/

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AuthorThread
 01/27/2008 07:27:28 AM
What a great story! Lucky you, though I'm not sure that I would have held it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2008 11:53:52 AM
Wow! you did a good deed and now have a story to tell!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2008 08:42:53 AM
Great story to this. You manage to look supremely comfortable holding the albatross here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 10:30:06 AM
Cool! Albatrosses are big!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 10:25:33 AM
What a great story! I'm glad you were willing & able to help the bird, hopefully you didn't get too many scratches.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 05:54:19 AM
what a handsome bird, and the guy too of course! lol!

Message edited by author 2008-01-25 10:54:38.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 04:37:27 AM
Awesome story to go with the picture. I figured you were holding the beak for self-protection when I saw the thumbnail. Wild birds are such ingrates!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 04:02:06 AM
WOW , what a great experience ! I like the picture - you sure look happy !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 03:56:01 AM
that's quite an amazing experience. he's really big and i bet pretty strong. you should be in photos more often. you have a nice face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 10:01:22 PM
Way cool story! Glad you were there to help out. I love the bird's "eye shadow". Very exotic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 08:06:07 PM
Wow what a huge bird! How fortunate for the bird you took that class! Thanks for sharing this incrediable image and for saving his life. Very cool!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 07:45:58 PM
What a cool experience!! I love albatrosses - they are huge, as I can see here in the photo. How good of you to assist in the rescue - great photo to go with your story!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 06:17:38 PM
Lucky you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:58:49 PM
Cool! You had an exciting day. Those birds are bigger than I expected. i am glad the you two make the rescue and got it back in the air.
Nice portrait BTW. You look very happy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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