Black-browed Albatross Colony

February 11, 2019

Albatros Ceja Negra (1)

Photographer: Fabio Saltarelli 
Summary Authors: Fabio Saltarelli; Jim Foster

Featured above is a colony of black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophrys) on the Wild Island of the West (also called Steeple Jason Island) in the South Atlantic Ocean. It's home to one of the largest colonies of black-browed albatrosses in the world. These long-lived (they breed even at 35 years of age) seabirds return to the same nesting site in September where a single egg is laid later in the fall. While awkward on the ground their long wingspans (up to 8 ft or 244 cm) serve them well once aloft.

The Wild West Island and also the Wild East Island (Grand Jason Island) are managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Researchers and tourist are allowed only on carefully monitored visits. Colonies of penguins and sea lions also thrive here. These islands were used for sheep grazing until the 1980s.

Photo Details: Nikon D7000 camera; 18- 40 mm; 1/1000 second exposure; f/11.0; ISO 400; 18 mm focal length; Software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.