at the end of an assignment like this albatross project I know as much as
albatross project I know as much as
albatross project I know as much as anybody about it and so I’m not just a
anybody about it and so I’m not just a
anybody about it and so I’m not just a photographer I become the storytelling
photographer I become the storytelling
photographer I become the storytelling and yet I become an ambassador for
and yet I become an ambassador for
and yet I become an ambassador for albatrosses
it’s a pleasure to be back here and this
it’s a pleasure to be back here and this is a big night for the big birds
is a big night for the big birds
is a big night for the big birds you can’t talk about albatrosses we’re
you can’t talk about albatrosses we’re
you can’t talk about albatrosses we’re not talking about the legend so let’s
not talking about the legend so let’s
not talking about the legend so let’s get that legend out of the way because
get that legend out of the way because
get that legend out of the way because it’s really more about what we assume
it’s really more about what we assume
it’s really more about what we assume about the birds then what is real about
about the birds then what is real about
about the birds then what is real about the bird most people associate the
the bird most people associate the
the bird most people associate the albatross had something burdensome and
albatross had something burdensome and
albatross had something burdensome and awkward and of course it all goes back
awkward and of course it all goes back
awkward and of course it all goes back to Coleridge is famous poem about the
to Coleridge is famous poem about the
to Coleridge is famous poem about the Ancient Mariner
Ancient Mariner
Ancient Mariner the sailors punished because he kills an
the sailors punished because he kills an
the sailors punished because he kills an albatross and he has to wear the corpse
albatross and he has to wear the corpse
albatross and he has to wear the corpse around his neck
around his neck
around his neck Coleridge never saw an albatross but he
Coleridge never saw an albatross but he
Coleridge never saw an albatross but he was inspired by the legends about this
was inspired by the legends about this
was inspired by the legends about this bird for centuries sailors had been
bird for centuries sailors had been
bird for centuries sailors had been wondering about them some of them
wondering about them some of them
wondering about them some of them assumed that they were the souls of
assumed that they were the souls of
assumed that they were the souls of drowned sailors others thought that they
drowned sailors others thought that they
drowned sailors others thought that they were the bringers of wind but nobody
were the bringers of wind but nobody
were the bringers of wind but nobody could explain what a flew like they did
could explain what a flew like they did
could explain what a flew like they did effortlessly cruising behind ships for
effortlessly cruising behind ships for
effortlessly cruising behind ships for days sometimes weeks on end without
days sometimes weeks on end without
days sometimes weeks on end without hardly flapping a wing we’ve come a long
hardly flapping a wing we’ve come a long
hardly flapping a wing we’ve come a long way since but what has not changed is
way since but what has not changed is
way since but what has not changed is that sense of all that virtually anyone
that sense of all that virtually anyone
that sense of all that virtually anyone feels and they come eye to eye with one
feels and they come eye to eye with one
feels and they come eye to eye with one of these amazing Birds the American
of these amazing Birds the American
of these amazing Birds the American biologist Robert Cushman Murphy once
biologist Robert Cushman Murphy once
biologist Robert Cushman Murphy once compared to his first great albatross at
compared to his first great albatross at
compared to his first great albatross at sea with lifetime experiences like
sea with lifetime experiences like
sea with lifetime experiences like seeing his first giant sequoia tree in
seeing his first giant sequoia tree in
seeing his first giant sequoia tree in California gazing down into the Grand
California gazing down into the Grand
California gazing down into the Grand Canyon he said
Canyon he said
Canyon he said expectation sank into nothingness
expectation sank into nothingness
expectation sank into nothingness albatrosses are birds of superlatives
albatrosses are birds of superlatives
albatrosses are birds of superlatives they fly like their stunt pilots
they fly like their stunt pilots
they fly like their stunt pilots inhabiting their own bodies and they’re
inhabiting their own bodies and they’re
inhabiting their own bodies and they’re made to exploit the wind they spend most
made to exploit the wind they spend most
made to exploit the wind they spend most of their long lives in the air and the
of their long lives in the air and the
of their long lives in the air and the data that scientists have accumulated in
data that scientists have accumulated in
data that scientists have accumulated in the last two decades are truly
the last two decades are truly
the last two decades are truly astonishing they’ve run farther than any
astonishing they’ve run farther than any
astonishing they’ve run farther than any other creature on the planet one Laysan
other creature on the planet one Laysan
other creature on the planet one Laysan albatross like this one traveled 15,000
albatross like this one traveled 15,000
albatross like this one traveled 15,000 miles in a month and at the end of a 50
miles in a month and at the end of a 50
miles in a month and at the end of a 50 year lifespan the average for most
year lifespan the average for most
year lifespan the average for most albatrosses an ordinary bird may have
albatrosses an ordinary bird may have
albatrosses an ordinary bird may have covered more than three million miles
covered more than three million miles
covered more than three million miles when it comes to frequent flyer miles
when it comes to frequent flyer miles
when it comes to frequent flyer miles they must be in a class by themselves
they must be in a class by themselves
they must be in a class by themselves but there’s another dimension to these
but there’s another dimension to these
but there’s another dimension to these birds and they touch down on the remote
birds and they touch down on the remote
birds and they touch down on the remote specks of land where they reproduce they
specks of land where they reproduce they
specks of land where they reproduce they become different birds with intricate
become different birds with intricate
become different birds with intricate social lives that stand in great
social lives that stand in great
social lives that stand in great contrast to their solitary existence on
contrast to their solitary existence on
contrast to their solitary existence on the open oceans and then there’s their
the open oceans and then there’s their
the open oceans and then there’s their lives at sea and those are still the
lives at sea and those are still the
lives at sea and those are still the least known of all even with all the
least known of all even with all the
least known of all even with all the advances in modern science and sensing
advances in modern science and sensing
advances in modern science and sensing technologies of the last two decades
technologies of the last two decades
technologies of the last two decades most of the knowledge we have about
most of the knowledge we have about
most of the knowledge we have about albatross is still circumstantial and
albatross is still circumstantial and
albatross is still circumstantial and indirect and an image like this one that
indirect and an image like this one that
indirect and an image like this one that a wandering albatross of New Zealand is
a wandering albatross of New Zealand is
a wandering albatross of New Zealand is pretty rare and hard to get I was
pretty rare and hard to get I was
pretty rare and hard to get I was intrigued by the notion that these
intrigued by the notion that these
intrigued by the notion that these albatross is after all have to live on
albatross is after all have to live on
albatross is after all have to live on the sea surface like any other sea bird
the sea surface like any other sea bird
the sea surface like any other sea bird and I ended up experimenting that this
and I ended up experimenting that this
and I ended up experimenting that this perspective by deploying an underwater
perspective by deploying an underwater
perspective by deploying an underwater camera mounted on a pole and manoeuvring
camera mounted on a pole and manoeuvring
camera mounted on a pole and manoeuvring it close to a bird
it close to a bird
it close to a bird some facts albatross is actually in
some facts albatross is actually in
some facts albatross is actually in aggregate you know there are 21 or 24
aggregate you know there are 21 or 24
aggregate you know there are 21 or 24 species of different kinds of albatross
species of different kinds of albatross
species of different kinds of albatross is depending on who you talk to the
is depending on who you talk to the
is depending on who you talk to the taxonomy is still a source of discussion
taxonomy is still a source of discussion
taxonomy is still a source of discussion among scientists but they’re all
among scientists but they’re all
among scientists but they’re all different and they range from elegant
different and they range from elegant
different and they range from elegant gray heads like this one breathing on
gray heads like this one breathing on
gray heads like this one breathing on the northern tip of South Georgia to
the northern tip of South Georgia to
the northern tip of South Georgia to Fuller’s albatrosses that really look
Fuller’s albatrosses that really look
Fuller’s albatrosses that really look out of place nesting on the tree
out of place nesting on the tree
out of place nesting on the tree canopies in an island south of New
canopies in an island south of New
canopies in an island south of New Zealand and even though albatross is
Zealand and even though albatross is
Zealand and even though albatross is need wind they have managed to get along
need wind they have managed to get along
need wind they have managed to get along with the doldrums and found a way to
with the doldrums and found a way to
with the doldrums and found a way to establish a home base near the equator
establish a home base near the equator
establish a home base near the equator these are waved albatross escorting on
these are waved albatross escorting on
these are waved albatross escorting on barren lava rock in the Galapagos
barren lava rock in the Galapagos
barren lava rock in the Galapagos Islands and courtship is another reason
Islands and courtship is another reason
Islands and courtship is another reason why people express superlatives and it
why people express superlatives and it
why people express superlatives and it comes to albatrosses
comes to albatrosses
comes to albatrosses I mean I’m wandering albatross Mail
I mean I’m wandering albatross Mail
I mean I’m wandering albatross Mail spreads these glorious wings in front of
spreads these glorious wings in front of
spreads these glorious wings in front of a female it is truly an amazing sight
a female it is truly an amazing sight
a female it is truly an amazing sight but she seems to express that it’s no
but she seems to express that it’s no
but she seems to express that it’s no big deal
big deal
big deal I was there I guess at the right time
this is where I camped the image is made
this is where I camped the image is made on albatross island truly a hallowed
on albatross island truly a hallowed
on albatross island truly a hallowed place to me because this is very Robert
place to me because this is very Robert
place to me because this is very Robert Cushman Murphy had made his original
Cushman Murphy had made his original
Cushman Murphy had made his original observations 80 years earlier in the
observations 80 years earlier in the
observations 80 years earlier in the beginning part of the 20th century and
beginning part of the 20th century and
beginning part of the 20th century and even though it looks pretty rough and I
even though it looks pretty rough and I
even though it looks pretty rough and I wasn’t looking too happy I was elated to
wasn’t looking too happy I was elated to
wasn’t looking too happy I was elated to be there who is a true privilege and
be there who is a true privilege and
be there who is a true privilege and this is the yacht that took me around
this is the yacht that took me around
this is the yacht that took me around South Georgia that memorable summer most
South Georgia that memorable summer most
South Georgia that memorable summer most albatrosses occur in the storm zone that
albatrosses occur in the storm zone that
albatrosses occur in the storm zone that girdles the earth in the southern
girdles the earth in the southern
girdles the earth in the southern hemisphere sailors know them as the
hemisphere sailors know them as the
hemisphere sailors know them as the roaring 40s the furious 50s summer down
roaring 40s the furious 50s summer down
roaring 40s the furious 50s summer down the air can feel like winter here snow
the air can feel like winter here snow
the air can feel like winter here snow squall in a black brow colony makes
squall in a black brow colony makes
squall in a black brow colony makes these birds hunker down while they’re
these birds hunker down while they’re
these birds hunker down while they’re incubating their eggs albatrosses need
incubating their eggs albatrosses need
incubating their eggs albatrosses need wind albatrosses and wind are
wind albatrosses and wind are
wind albatrosses and wind are inseparable they do not fly like any
inseparable they do not fly like any
inseparable they do not fly like any other earth instead of expending their
other earth instead of expending their
other earth instead of expending their own energy by flapping wings they tap
own energy by flapping wings they tap
own energy by flapping wings they tap the winds energy in a superb and
the winds energy in a superb and
the winds energy in a superb and sophisticated manner the glide load of
sophisticated manner the glide load of
sophisticated manner the glide load of the ocean to take advantage of wind
the ocean to take advantage of wind
the ocean to take advantage of wind bouncing off waves and exploiting wind
bouncing off waves and exploiting wind
bouncing off waves and exploiting wind gradients as they change from right
gradients as they change from right
gradients as they change from right above the water to sixty feet above the
above the water to sixty feet above the
above the water to sixty feet above the surface and here to make it come alive
surface and here to make it come alive
surface and here to make it come alive is a short video clip by Chris that show
is a short video clip by Chris that show
is a short video clip by Chris that show how to fly numbers undulations
how to fly numbers undulations
how to fly numbers undulations rising up into the wind and then using
rising up into the wind and then using
rising up into the wind and then using gravity to make forward progress this is
gravity to make forward progress this is
gravity to make forward progress this is a royal albatross and here’s a smaller
a royal albatross and here’s a smaller
a royal albatross and here’s a smaller black-browed albatross wholesale off
black-browed albatross wholesale off
black-browed albatross wholesale off museum
now if that clip made you seasick you’re
now if that clip made you seasick you’re not the only one it’s really hard the
not the only one it’s really hard the
not the only one it’s really hard the photograph albatross is in flight on the
photograph albatross is in flight on the
photograph albatross is in flight on the open ocean I’m sure it’s a little easier
open ocean I’m sure it’s a little easier
open ocean I’m sure it’s a little easier things become a bit more predictable and
things become a bit more predictable and
things become a bit more predictable and I don’t have to worry about my stomach
I don’t have to worry about my stomach
I don’t have to worry about my stomach too much this is a black-footed
too much this is a black-footed
too much this is a black-footed albatross flying in light winds over
albatross flying in light winds over
albatross flying in light winds over French frigate Shoals in the leeward
French frigate Shoals in the leeward
French frigate Shoals in the leeward islands of Hawaii you can see the wings
islands of Hawaii you can see the wings
islands of Hawaii you can see the wings are fully stretched and even drooping at
are fully stretched and even drooping at
are fully stretched and even drooping at the wingtip like a b-52 I only breathe
the wingtip like a b-52 I only breathe
the wingtip like a b-52 I only breathe break that streamline and I have to come
break that streamline and I have to come
break that streamline and I have to come in for a landing
in for a landing
in for a landing they stand up use their feet as brakes
they stand up use their feet as brakes
they stand up use their feet as brakes and they become ordinary birds on shore
and they become ordinary birds on shore
and they become ordinary birds on shore but in the air they’re a symphony and
but in the air they’re a symphony and
but in the air they’re a symphony and the more extreme the wind conditions are
the more extreme the wind conditions are
the more extreme the wind conditions are the more albatross has come into their
the more albatross has come into their
the more albatross has come into their own this is a royal albatross it
own this is a royal albatross it
own this is a royal albatross it measures nearly eleven feet from wingtip
measures nearly eleven feet from wingtip
measures nearly eleven feet from wingtip to wingtip they can bend themselves in
to wingtip they can bend themselves in
to wingtip they can bend themselves in two sickles slicing through the air at
two sickles slicing through the air at
two sickles slicing through the air at fifty miles an hour or more this image
fifty miles an hour or more this image
fifty miles an hour or more this image reminds me of a line in Carl Safinaz
reminds me of a line in Carl Safinaz
reminds me of a line in Carl Safinaz text for the geographic an albatross he
text for the geographic an albatross he
text for the geographic an albatross he wrote is its own Todd longbow and the
wrote is its own Todd longbow and the
wrote is its own Todd longbow and the breeze is its bowstring they’ve mastered
breeze is its bowstring they’ve mastered
breeze is its bowstring they’ve mastered the art of staying in motion without
the art of staying in motion without
the art of staying in motion without practically expending any energy
practically expending any energy
practically expending any energy metabolic studies have shown that an
metabolic studies have shown that an
metabolic studies have shown that an albatross in flight spends barely more
albatross in flight spends barely more
albatross in flight spends barely more energy than an albatross sitting on the
energy than an albatross sitting on the
energy than an albatross sitting on the ground doing absolutely nothing and when
ground doing absolutely nothing and when
ground doing absolutely nothing and when a force
a force
a force in Gale off the Falklands with the ocean
in Gale off the Falklands with the ocean
in Gale off the Falklands with the ocean surface into froth these black-browed
surface into froth these black-browed
surface into froth these black-browed albatross s were actually able to make
albatross s were actually able to make
albatross s were actually able to make forward progress into that storm wind
forward progress into that storm wind
forward progress into that storm wind they’re so comfortable in the air
they’re so comfortable in the air
they’re so comfortable in the air there’s so much in control of their own
there’s so much in control of their own
there’s so much in control of their own lives that if it weren’t for a need to
lives that if it weren’t for a need to
lives that if it weren’t for a need to breathe I would never come back on shore
breathe I would never come back on shore
breathe I would never come back on shore but they do have to there is that urge
but they do have to there is that urge
but they do have to there is that urge young albatross is once they fledge
young albatross is once they fledge
young albatross is once they fledge spend four five six years before they
spend four five six years before they
spend four five six years before they come back and touch solid ground again
come back and touch solid ground again
come back and touch solid ground again but when they do when they come back
but when they do when they come back
but when they do when they come back that first summer they appear reluctant
that first summer they appear reluctant
that first summer they appear reluctant to come down from the air and young
to come down from the air and young
to come down from the air and young birds like these may cruise for hours on
birds like these may cruise for hours on
birds like these may cruise for hours on end gliding back and forth above the
end gliding back and forth above the
end gliding back and forth above the colony and I can imagine how
colony and I can imagine how
colony and I can imagine how intimidating it might be when you’ve
intimidating it might be when you’ve
intimidating it might be when you’ve been out there over the ocean as a
been out there over the ocean as a
been out there over the ocean as a solitary bird and you’re confronted with
solitary bird and you’re confronted with
solitary bird and you’re confronted with a sea bird sitting where do you land it
a sea bird sitting where do you land it
a sea bird sitting where do you land it usually starts on the edges albatrosses
usually starts on the edges albatrosses
usually starts on the edges albatrosses have little fear for humans because they
have little fear for humans because they
have little fear for humans because they only come ashore on these remote islands
only come ashore on these remote islands
only come ashore on these remote islands but still if I want to get into their
but still if I want to get into their
but still if I want to get into their world I have to make myself small and
world I have to make myself small and
world I have to make myself small and wait until the birds forget I’m there
wait until the birds forget I’m there
wait until the birds forget I’m there and then when they go back to their own
and then when they go back to their own
and then when they go back to their own lives I can show them as individuals as
lives I can show them as individuals as
lives I can show them as individuals as partners and members of a collective
partners and members of a collective
partners and members of a collective courtship in albatrosses is a highly
courtship in albatrosses is a highly
courtship in albatrosses is a highly stylized ritual black brown male capes
stylized ritual black brown male capes
stylized ritual black brown male capes at a female they fins with a bill
at a female they fins with a bill
at a female they fins with a bill side-by-side they bow to one another
side-by-side they bow to one another
side-by-side they bow to one another a female can indicate a willingness by
a female can indicate a willingness by
a female can indicate a willingness by laying her head back to which a male can
laying her head back to which a male can
laying her head back to which a male can respond by twisting his neck upside down
respond by twisting his neck upside down
respond by twisting his neck upside down as he grooms his partner it all looks
as he grooms his partner it all looks
as he grooms his partner it all looks very intimate and serene
very intimate and serene
very intimate and serene but there’s another dimension to this
but there’s another dimension to this
but there’s another dimension to this let me share with you this clip privacy
let me share with you this clip privacy
let me share with you this clip privacy is hard to find in another crossbone
this is a mixed reading colony of grey
this is a mixed reading colony of grey hats and black brows on the northern
hats and black brows on the northern
hats and black brows on the northern Campbell I own
youngest youngsters perched on the
youngest youngsters perched on the pedestals most of these islands are
pedestals most of these islands are
pedestals most of these islands are really remote and hard to get to use a
really remote and hard to get to use a
really remote and hard to get to use a pile of our gear mix at that of a BBC TV
pile of our gear mix at that of a BBC TV
pile of our gear mix at that of a BBC TV crew on carcass island at the western
crew on carcass island at the western
crew on carcass island at the western end of the Falkland Islands this is
end of the Falkland Islands this is
end of the Falkland Islands this is going ashore on steeple Jason where we
going ashore on steeple Jason where we
going ashore on steeple Jason where we landed with special permission from the
landed with special permission from the
landed with special permission from the Wildlife Conservation Society which
Wildlife Conservation Society which
Wildlife Conservation Society which after the island was bought by a
after the island was bought by a
after the island was bought by a philanthropist handed over the title to
philanthropist handed over the title to
philanthropist handed over the title to WCS and now the islands are protected
WCS and now the islands are protected
WCS and now the islands are protected for the first time in their history and
for the first time in their history and
for the first time in their history and we spend a memorable week assured at
we spend a memorable week assured at
we spend a memorable week assured at earth Carl carrying gear sure but
earth Carl carrying gear sure but
earth Carl carrying gear sure but onwards to another part of the Southern
onwards to another part of the Southern
onwards to another part of the Southern Ocean Campbell Island 400 miles south of
Ocean Campbell Island 400 miles south of
Ocean Campbell Island 400 miles south of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand here’s Christine after we made a long
here’s Christine after we made a long
here’s Christine after we made a long and arduous hike to find Sudi
and arduous hike to find Sudi
and arduous hike to find Sudi albatrosses this is a really interesting
albatrosses this is a really interesting
albatrosses this is a really interesting species member of the Albatross family
species member of the Albatross family
species member of the Albatross family it’s hard to pick favorites but many of
it’s hard to pick favorites but many of
it’s hard to pick favorites but many of the specialists when you ask them they
the specialists when you ask them they
the specialists when you ask them they will admit to a weak spot for these
will admit to a weak spot for these
will admit to a weak spot for these light bland mantled sudhi albatrosses
light bland mantled sudhi albatrosses
light bland mantled sudhi albatrosses which are cliff nesters they nest in
which are cliff nesters they nest in
which are cliff nesters they nest in solitary fashion instead of aggregating
solitary fashion instead of aggregating
solitary fashion instead of aggregating in large numbers here’s a close-up of
in large numbers here’s a close-up of
in large numbers here’s a close-up of one of them and here’s an image of a
one of them and here’s an image of a
one of them and here’s an image of a Sudi albatross in flight different kind
Sudi albatross in flight different kind
Sudi albatross in flight different kind of flight pattern different kind of
of flight pattern different kind of
of flight pattern different kind of outline but like mental sudhi
outline but like mental sudhi
outline but like mental sudhi albatrosses wasn’t the only reason leave
albatrosses wasn’t the only reason leave
albatrosses wasn’t the only reason leave it here we were there for the truly big
it here we were there for the truly big
it here we were there for the truly big birds but getting around wasn’t the
birds but getting around wasn’t the
birds but getting around wasn’t the easiest things we are after all in a
easiest things we are after all in a
easiest things we are after all in a furious 50s
this is a force 11 gale weather forecast
this is a force 11 gale weather forecast learned that goods but we had only one
learned that goods but we had only one
learned that goods but we had only one chance at crossing the islands so we did
chance at crossing the islands so we did
chance at crossing the islands so we did we were knocked over multiple times
we were knocked over multiple times
we were knocked over multiple times that’s a hot footed hike we took and
that’s a hot footed hike we took and
that’s a hot footed hike we took and that’s Carl commenting on the condition
that’s Carl commenting on the condition
that’s Carl commenting on the condition of his feet after an eight-hour hike
of his feet after an eight-hour hike
of his feet after an eight-hour hike across Campbell Island this is a little
across Campbell Island this is a little
across Campbell Island this is a little bit walk made to shelter two biologist
bit walk made to shelter two biologist
bit walk made to shelter two biologist but it ended up being home sweet home to
but it ended up being home sweet home to
but it ended up being home sweet home to the four of us you have to choose your
the four of us you have to choose your
the four of us you have to choose your companions carefully on these kind of
companions carefully on these kind of
companions carefully on these kind of trips Carl on the Left Peter more next
trips Carl on the Left Peter more next
trips Carl on the Left Peter more next to him and Christian myself they’re
to him and Christian myself they’re
to him and Christian myself they’re truly giants they’re even a little bit
truly giants they’re even a little bit
truly giants they’re even a little bit bigger than the legendary wandering
bigger than the legendary wandering
bigger than the legendary wandering albatross 2025 pounds 11 foot wingspan
albatross 2025 pounds 11 foot wingspan
albatross 2025 pounds 11 foot wingspan in our day glorious they made for life
in our day glorious they made for life
in our day glorious they made for life some royal albatrosses are known to have
some royal albatrosses are known to have
some royal albatrosses are known to have lived for 70 years so a pair met bond
lived for 70 years so a pair met bond
lived for 70 years so a pair met bond forms can stay together for 50 years
forms can stay together for 50 years
forms can stay together for 50 years reproducing one chick every other year
reproducing one chick every other year
reproducing one chick every other year so it’s important that you choose the
so it’s important that you choose the
so it’s important that you choose the right partner and that is one reason for
right partner and that is one reason for
right partner and that is one reason for this extended courtship that may spend
this extended courtship that may spend
this extended courtship that may spend two years spending time together is
two years spending time together is
two years spending time together is important here’s a little video clip in
important here’s a little video clip in
important here’s a little video clip in one of these intimate moments in the
one of these intimate moments in the
one of these intimate moments in the lives of two birds about to become
lives of two birds about to become
lives of two birds about to become partners
but it doesn’t always go right
but it doesn’t always go right during our survey of Royals on Campbell
during our survey of Royals on Campbell
during our survey of Royals on Campbell we came upon this nest with an abandoned
we came upon this nest with an abandoned
we came upon this nest with an abandoned egg something must have gone wrong
egg something must have gone wrong
egg something must have gone wrong one partner didn’t come back to the
one partner didn’t come back to the
one partner didn’t come back to the other one that was incubating an egg and
other one that was incubating an egg and
other one that was incubating an egg and after a while it could be several weeks
after a while it could be several weeks
after a while it could be several weeks because they’re really faithful to one
because they’re really faithful to one
because they’re really faithful to one another and to that precious egg after
another and to that precious egg after
another and to that precious egg after several weeks and the other didn’t show
several weeks and the other didn’t show
several weeks and the other didn’t show up that bird had to go save itself we
up that bird had to go save itself we
up that bird had to go save itself we don’t know what happened but what we do
don’t know what happened but what we do
don’t know what happened but what we do know that the natural mortality of
know that the natural mortality of
know that the natural mortality of paired royal albatros is in their adult
paired royal albatros is in their adult
paired royal albatros is in their adult lives is extremely low maybe one to two
lives is extremely low maybe one to two
lives is extremely low maybe one to two percent per year so this could be one of
percent per year so this could be one of
percent per year so this could be one of these instances where mortality was
these instances where mortality was
these instances where mortality was induced by fishing practices and that of
induced by fishing practices and that of
induced by fishing practices and that of course is the edge of this story that
course is the edge of this story that
course is the edge of this story that I’m sharing with you tonight but let’s
I’m sharing with you tonight but let’s
I’m sharing with you tonight but let’s talk about how it starts let’s talk
talk about how it starts let’s talk
talk about how it starts let’s talk about how this pair bomb begins after
about how this pair bomb begins after
about how this pair bomb begins after these birds spend years at sea they do
these birds spend years at sea they do
these birds spend years at sea they do come back to the place where they’re
come back to the place where they’re
come back to the place where they’re born not just the island but even the
born not just the island but even the
born not just the island but even the neighborhood where they grew up
neighborhood where they grew up
neighborhood where they grew up one bird on the ground soliciting the
one bird on the ground soliciting the
one bird on the ground soliciting the company of others in there they land and
company of others in there they land and
company of others in there they land and then they get together these are
then they get together these are
then they get together these are teenagers they try out moves on one
teenagers they try out moves on one
teenagers they try out moves on one another they know the moves by instinct
another they know the moves by instinct
another they know the moves by instinct but that is not enough they have to
but that is not enough they have to
but that is not enough they have to learn how to perform the right moves in
learn how to perform the right moves in
learn how to perform the right moves in the right sequence in front of other
the right sequence in front of other
the right sequence in front of other birds that are also not so sure about
birds that are also not so sure about
birds that are also not so sure about themselves so teenagers at them all
themselves so teenagers at them all
themselves so teenagers at them all these are called gams lose social
these are called gams lose social
these are called gams lose social affiliations that may last for half an
affiliations that may last for half an
affiliations that may last for half an hour and then the birds break up and
hour and then the birds break up and
hour and then the birds break up and they fly off again and then another
they fly off again and then another
they fly off again and then another aggregation they form an hour later in
aggregation they form an hour later in
aggregation they form an hour later in another place and so it goes and
another place and so it goes and
another place and so it goes and gradually they learn how to do it and
gradually they learn how to do it and
gradually they learn how to do it and gradually I learned how to do my job I
gradually I learned how to do my job I
gradually I learned how to do my job I know what they’re going to do so my job
know what they’re going to do so my job
know what they’re going to do so my job is to be on the
is to be on the
is to be on the referee and to be right behind them
referee and to be right behind them
referee and to be right behind them because I know sooner or later one of
because I know sooner or later one of
because I know sooner or later one of these Royals will unfold those glorious
these Royals will unfold those glorious
these Royals will unfold those glorious wings and then I’m looking into their
wings and then I’m looking into their
wings and then I’m looking into their world from my perspective
now you may think this is humorous but
now you may think this is humorous but in this serious business to these birds
halfway around the world once again now
halfway around the world once again now we’re in the northern hemisphere
we’re in the northern hemisphere
we’re in the northern hemisphere we’re in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of
we’re in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of
we’re in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of thousands of evidences gather on the
thousands of evidences gather on the
thousands of evidences gather on the beaches of subtropical
beaches of subtropical
beaches of subtropical it’s a very unusual place tour now the
it’s a very unusual place tour now the
it’s a very unusual place tour now the trust to call him when you’re there a
trust to call him when you’re there a
trust to call him when you’re there a place on all the process in Black Sea
place on all the process in Black Sea
place on all the process in Black Sea here are the black sheet albatrosses
here are the black sheet albatrosses
here are the black sheet albatrosses they prefer the open beach and their
they prefer the open beach and their
they prefer the open beach and their courtship has evolved in another
courtship has evolved in another
courtship has evolved in another direction it’s more energetic and their
direction it’s more energetic and their
direction it’s more energetic and their moves are even more extravagant now as I
moves are even more extravagant now as I
moves are even more extravagant now as I mentioned earlier these birds know that
mentioned earlier these birds know that
mentioned earlier these birds know that courtship repertoire by instinct
courtship repertoire by instinct
courtship repertoire by instinct instinct is a term we use and we really
instinct is a term we use and we really
instinct is a term we use and we really don’t know what these animals are doing
don’t know what these animals are doing
don’t know what these animals are doing it really is a way to cover up our own
it really is a way to cover up our own
it really is a way to cover up our own ignorance but those courtship moves
ignorance but those courtship moves
ignorance but those courtship moves don’t mean anything until the birds
don’t mean anything until the birds
don’t mean anything until the birds internalize how to do it and perform the
internalize how to do it and perform the
internalize how to do it and perform the moves in the right sequence in front of
moves in the right sequence in front of
moves in the right sequence in front of the right partner and to do it with
the right partner and to do it with
the right partner and to do it with vigor as Duke Ellington once said it
vigor as Duke Ellington once said it
vigor as Duke Ellington once said it don’t mean a thing until it got that
don’t mean a thing until it got that
don’t mean a thing until it got that swing
swing
swing so the culminating moment in a courtship
so the culminating moment in a courtship
so the culminating moment in a courtship of these black feet is in both of them
of these black feet is in both of them
of these black feet is in both of them stand up on tiptoes and they do it in
stand up on tiptoes and they do it in
stand up on tiptoes and they do it in synchrony and they both lay their bills
synchrony and they both lay their bills
synchrony and they both lay their bills against each other that is when things
against each other that is when things
against each other that is when things may be getting seriously evolving
may be getting seriously evolving
may be getting seriously evolving towards a partnership no matter whether
towards a partnership no matter whether
towards a partnership no matter whether it’s one species or the other ultimately
it’s one species or the other ultimately
it’s one species or the other ultimately courtship results in prospective
courtship results in prospective
courtship results in prospective partners spending time together at a
partners spending time together at a
partners spending time together at a nest site that a male has already
nest site that a male has already
nest site that a male has already claimed but then of course it’s her
claimed but then of course it’s her
claimed but then of course it’s her choice whether he’s the right guy and
choice whether he’s the right guy and
choice whether he’s the right guy and whether it’s the right spot and then
whether it’s the right spot and then
whether it’s the right spot and then parenting leads to one chick born after
parenting leads to one chick born after
parenting leads to one chick born after an incubation that can take anywhere
an incubation that can take anywhere
an incubation that can take anywhere from one to more than two months
from one to more than two months
from one to more than two months and that chick is fed through
and that chick is fed through
and that chick is fed through regurgitated oil from an upper stomach
regurgitated oil from an upper stomach
regurgitated oil from an upper stomach albatrosses have two stomachs in the
albatrosses have two stomachs in the
albatrosses have two stomachs in the upper stomach they digest their food the
upper stomach they digest their food the
upper stomach they digest their food the oil floats to the surface fish and squid
oil floats to the surface fish and squid
oil floats to the surface fish and squid are rendered into oil water protein and
are rendered into oil water protein and
are rendered into oil water protein and fat and the oil is regurgitated
fat and the oil is regurgitated
fat and the oil is regurgitated into the mouths and into the stomach’s
into the mouths and into the stomach’s
into the mouths and into the stomach’s of these chicks and a happy albatross
of these chicks and a happy albatross
of these chicks and a happy albatross chick is a chick with a lot of oil in
chick is a chick with a lot of oil in
chick is a chick with a lot of oil in its belly they don’t get fed too often
its belly they don’t get fed too often
its belly they don’t get fed too often initially maybe every couple of days and
initially maybe every couple of days and
initially maybe every couple of days and then later on the intervals may lengthen
then later on the intervals may lengthen
then later on the intervals may lengthen to one to two weeks if you’re a black
to one to two weeks if you’re a black
to one to two weeks if you’re a black brown albatross chick you may be born on
brown albatross chick you may be born on
brown albatross chick you may be born on top of a mud pedestal up to three feet
top of a mud pedestal up to three feet
top of a mud pedestal up to three feet tall truly amazing structures that
tall truly amazing structures that
tall truly amazing structures that parents keep adding on to year after
parents keep adding on to year after
parents keep adding on to year after year and it’s extraordinary to
year and it’s extraordinary to
year and it’s extraordinary to contemplate that these birds which fly
contemplate that these birds which fly
contemplate that these birds which fly across ocean basins and make their way
across ocean basins and make their way
across ocean basins and make their way without trouble back to that nest site
without trouble back to that nest site
without trouble back to that nest site will not recognize their own egg if it
will not recognize their own egg if it
will not recognize their own egg if it falls out of that mud pedestal their own
falls out of that mud pedestal their own
falls out of that mud pedestal their own nest it just becomes an object that
nest it just becomes an object that
nest it just becomes an object that means nothing to them but when it’s
means nothing to them but when it’s
means nothing to them but when it’s inside that nest scrape it’s an object
inside that nest scrape it’s an object
inside that nest scrape it’s an object to Beach other cherished
to Beach other cherished
to Beach other cherished they EQ bait it and then when a chick
they EQ bait it and then when a chick
they EQ bait it and then when a chick begins to pick at the surface of the
begins to pick at the surface of the
begins to pick at the surface of the shell he begins to call out and the
shell he begins to call out and the
shell he begins to call out and the parent begins to respond the bond
parent begins to respond the bond
parent begins to respond the bond between parent and chick is established
between parent and chick is established
between parent and chick is established before that chick is even emerging
before that chick is even emerging
before that chick is even emerging chicks like this one a lay some crawling
chicks like this one a lay some crawling
chicks like this one a lay some crawling out of the egg on turn Island in the
out of the egg on turn Island in the
out of the egg on turn Island in the French frigate Shoals were born in
French frigate Shoals were born in
French frigate Shoals were born in january/february and they’re dependent
january/february and they’re dependent
january/february and they’re dependent on their parents for up to half a year
on their parents for up to half a year
on their parents for up to half a year first couple of weeks parents alternate
first couple of weeks parents alternate
first couple of weeks parents alternate pruden because there are predators
pruden because there are predators
pruden because there are predators aerial predators to contend with here on
aerial predators to contend with here on
aerial predators to contend with here on Campbell Island her gray head is warding
Campbell Island her gray head is warding
Campbell Island her gray head is warding off a school flying overhead
off a school flying overhead
off a school flying overhead here’s another school think of him as
here’s another school think of him as
here’s another school think of him as gulls on steroids hook beaks clawed feet
gulls on steroids hook beaks clawed feet
gulls on steroids hook beaks clawed feet and this one was thinking nothing of
and this one was thinking nothing of
and this one was thinking nothing of assaulting a fully-grown wandering
assaulting a fully-grown wandering
assaulting a fully-grown wandering albatross that was blundering into its
albatross that was blundering into its
albatross that was blundering into its territory other enemies crested Caracara
territory other enemies crested Caracara
territory other enemies crested Caracara also known as Johnny rooks
also known as Johnny rooks
also known as Johnny rooks in the Falkland Islands patrolling the
in the Falkland Islands patrolling the
in the Falkland Islands patrolling the edges of a huge albatross colony on
edges of a huge albatross colony on
edges of a huge albatross colony on Beauchene at the southern edge of the
Beauchene at the southern edge of the
Beauchene at the southern edge of the Falklands and here’s a group of
Falklands and here’s a group of
Falklands and here’s a group of caracaras tearing apart at appleís
caracaras tearing apart at appleís
caracaras tearing apart at appleís albatross juvenile so the fence comes
albatross juvenile so the fence comes
albatross juvenile so the fence comes from being big and being tall and being
from being big and being tall and being
from being big and being tall and being able to squirt that oil back to any one
able to squirt that oil back to any one
able to squirt that oil back to any one who dares to come close so I stay upwind
taking a closer look truly endearing at
taking a closer look truly endearing at this stage of fuzzy chick this one is
this stage of fuzzy chick this one is
this stage of fuzzy chick this one is maybe a month old but underneath a real
maybe a month old but underneath a real
maybe a month old but underneath a real bird is growing but it takes a while it
bird is growing but it takes a while it
bird is growing but it takes a while it takes months of shuttling in food from
takes months of shuttling in food from
takes months of shuttling in food from the far reaches of an ocean basin to
the far reaches of an ocean basin to
the far reaches of an ocean basin to make an albatross chick grow into a real
make an albatross chick grow into a real
make an albatross chick grow into a real bird and then towards the end
there’s some humorous moments in a
there’s some humorous moments in a matter of a few week every hairstyle
matter of a few week every hairstyle
matter of a few week every hairstyle that’s been tried out in human society
that’s been tried out in human society
that’s been tried out in human society is sported on top of would be
is sported on top of would be
is sported on top of would be albatrosses from baroque to rockabilly
albatrosses from baroque to rockabilly
albatrosses from baroque to rockabilly from Punk to crew-cut but no matter
from Punk to crew-cut but no matter
from Punk to crew-cut but no matter which fashion you adopt and your Laysan
which fashion you adopt and your Laysan
which fashion you adopt and your Laysan albatross you have to head to the beach
albatross you have to head to the beach
albatross you have to head to the beach that’s where they all gather in the
that’s where they all gather in the
that’s where they all gather in the early summer and that’s what I begin to
early summer and that’s what I begin to
early summer and that’s what I begin to try out how to get into the air it’s
try out how to get into the air it’s
try out how to get into the air it’s astonishing again to contemplate that
astonishing again to contemplate that
astonishing again to contemplate that these amazing effortless fliers have to
these amazing effortless fliers have to
these amazing effortless fliers have to learn how to fly their parents aren’t
learn how to fly their parents aren’t
learn how to fly their parents aren’t there to teach them they have to figure
there to teach them they have to figure
there to teach them they have to figure it out for themselves and they have no
it out for themselves and they have no
it out for themselves and they have no clue about it other than this urge how
clue about it other than this urge how
clue about it other than this urge how to run down the beach and get into the
to run down the beach and get into the
to run down the beach and get into the air but coordination between feet and
air but coordination between feet and
air but coordination between feet and wings is not always the best thing but
wings is not always the best thing but
wings is not always the best thing but they keep trying they have so much
they keep trying they have so much
they keep trying they have so much energy and they have to in a matter of a
energy and they have to in a matter of a
energy and they have to in a matter of a few weeks learn how to do it or would I
few weeks learn how to do it or would I
few weeks learn how to do it or would I die the naivete that is bird standing
die the naivete that is bird standing
die the naivete that is bird standing there on the shoreline gathering by the
there on the shoreline gathering by the
there on the shoreline gathering by the thousands by the tens of thousands there
thousands by the tens of thousands there
thousands by the tens of thousands there are over a million albatross is in the
are over a million albatross is in the
are over a million albatross is in the leeward islands of Hawaii and every
leeward islands of Hawaii and every
leeward islands of Hawaii and every summer it’s a trial by fire but his lei
summer it’s a trial by fire but his lei
summer it’s a trial by fire but his lei sounds and these Blackfeet albatrosses
sounds and these Blackfeet albatrosses
sounds and these Blackfeet albatrosses the year when we were there Midway Atoll
the year when we were there Midway Atoll
the year when we were there Midway Atoll last summer the winds were light and
last summer the winds were light and
last summer the winds were light and many of these birds ended up paddling
many of these birds ended up paddling
many of these birds ended up paddling out onto the lagoon and that is where
out onto the lagoon and that is where
out onto the lagoon and that is where they were readying themselves for that
they were readying themselves for that
they were readying themselves for that final flight that had taken out of the
final flight that had taken out of the
final flight that had taken out of the sheltered waters
sheltered waters
sheltered waters into the open blue ocean here’s one bird
into the open blue ocean here’s one bird
into the open blue ocean here’s one bird interesting the notes that just before
interesting the notes that just before
interesting the notes that just before the parents leave them they pump a last
the parents leave them they pump a last
the parents leave them they pump a last meal into their stomachs these birds
meal into their stomachs these birds
meal into their stomachs these birds have a little bit of a fat reserve but
have a little bit of a fat reserve but
have a little bit of a fat reserve but it also makes them a little bit heavier
it also makes them a little bit heavier
it also makes them a little bit heavier than the ideally need to be in order to
than the ideally need to be in order to
than the ideally need to be in order to take flight
take flight
take flight so here’s that video clip the interior
so here’s that video clip the interior
so here’s that video clip the interior of Midway Atoll thousands and thousands
of Midway Atoll thousands and thousands
of Midway Atoll thousands and thousands of young birds and here’s one heading to
of young birds and here’s one heading to
of young birds and here’s one heading to the beach seeing the ocean for the first
the beach seeing the ocean for the first
the beach seeing the ocean for the first time
though not so certain about things not
though not so certain about things not so good on its feet yet but he’s not the
so good on its feet yet but he’s not the
so good on its feet yet but he’s not the only one
there’s heavy mortality in the middle of
there’s heavy mortality in the middle of summer many birds get into the water
summer many birds get into the water
summer many birds get into the water before they’re ready to go they haven’t
before they’re ready to go they haven’t
before they’re ready to go they haven’t learned how to waterproof themselves yet
learned how to waterproof themselves yet
learned how to waterproof themselves yet preening using that oil gland at the
preening using that oil gland at the
preening using that oil gland at the base of their tail and they get
base of their tail and they get
base of their tail and they get waterlogged some of them take by taken
waterlogged some of them take by taken
waterlogged some of them take by taken by sharks many of them sink you’re not
by sharks many of them sink you’re not
by sharks many of them sink you’re not seen again some of them are able to make
seen again some of them are able to make
seen again some of them are able to make it back to the beach the lucky ones may
it back to the beach the lucky ones may
it back to the beach the lucky ones may get a second chance but for many there
get a second chance but for many there
get a second chance but for many there is no recourse it’s truly hard wrenching
is no recourse it’s truly hard wrenching
is no recourse it’s truly hard wrenching to watch but there’s nothing you can do
to watch but there’s nothing you can do
to watch but there’s nothing you can do it’s all part of nature and in seabird
it’s all part of nature and in seabird
it’s all part of nature and in seabird colonies you see everything turn Island
colonies you see everything turn Island
colonies you see everything turn Island in that chain of islands that stretches
in that chain of islands that stretches
in that chain of islands that stretches from Hawaii halfway towards Japan turn
from Hawaii halfway towards Japan turn
from Hawaii halfway towards Japan turn island is a speck of land that is where
island is a speck of land that is where
island is a speck of land that is where we went along with two researchers from
we went along with two researchers from
we went along with two researchers from the University of California at Santa
the University of California at Santa
the University of California at Santa Cruz truly heaven on earth if you want
Cruz truly heaven on earth if you want
Cruz truly heaven on earth if you want to study albatrosses low tech tools
to study albatrosses low tech tools
to study albatrosses low tech tools little plastic bucket in which she
little plastic bucket in which she
little plastic bucket in which she weighs chicks but it’s high-tech science
weighs chicks but it’s high-tech science
weighs chicks but it’s high-tech science this is an instrument that has
this is an instrument that has
this is an instrument that has revolutionized our understanding of
revolutionized our understanding of
revolutionized our understanding of albatrosses it’s a sensor that can plot
albatrosses it’s a sensor that can plot
albatrosses it’s a sensor that can plot what a bird’s arm can accumulate other
what a bird’s arm can accumulate other
what a bird’s arm can accumulate other data oceanographic data and beam the
data oceanographic data and beam the
data oceanographic data and beam the information up to a satellite overhead
information up to a satellite overhead
information up to a satellite overhead signal is beamed down to a server in
signal is beamed down to a server in
signal is beamed down to a server in France
France
France researchers can log on to it in almost
researchers can log on to it in almost
researchers can log on to it in almost in real time they can see what the birds
in real time they can see what the birds
in real time they can see what the birds are doing but they’re up to this is
are doing but they’re up to this is
are doing but they’re up to this is Scott one of the people with whom we’ve
Scott one of the people with whom we’ve
Scott one of the people with whom we’ve worked here he is applying one of these
worked here he is applying one of these
worked here he is applying one of these transmitters gluing it on to the back of
transmitters gluing it on to the back of
transmitters gluing it on to the back of an albatross the package weighs only a
an albatross the package weighs only a
an albatross the package weighs only a few grams and it really doesn’t bother
few grams and it really doesn’t bother
few grams and it really doesn’t bother the birds at all this is an image made
the birds at all this is an image made
the birds at all this is an image made using my laptop set up on the beach in
using my laptop set up on the beach in
using my laptop set up on the beach in front of an S
front of an S
front of an S thing albatross and this is the pathway
thing albatross and this is the pathway
thing albatross and this is the pathway of a single albatross starting and
of a single albatross starting and
of a single albatross starting and ending up back on turn island these
ending up back on turn island these
ending up back on turn island these birds are amazing but they are also
birds are amazing but they are also
birds are amazing but they are also becoming biological sensors for us
becoming biological sensors for us
becoming biological sensors for us because we can follow them through these
because we can follow them through these
because we can follow them through these amazing instruments and they gather data
amazing instruments and they gather data
amazing instruments and they gather data for us not just about what they’re doing
for us not just about what they’re doing
for us not just about what they’re doing but ever that is happening on the open
but ever that is happening on the open
but ever that is happening on the open ocean Midway of course there’s a theater
ocean Midway of course there’s a theater
ocean Midway of course there’s a theater of war during World War two
of war during World War two
of war during World War two things have calmed down on the ground
things have calmed down on the ground
things have calmed down on the ground the islands are protected but on the
the islands are protected but on the
the islands are protected but on the open ocean in the Central Pacific it’s
open ocean in the Central Pacific it’s
open ocean in the Central Pacific it’s still an area of conflict between all
still an area of conflict between all
still an area of conflict between all the trusses in US this is just one small
the trusses in US this is just one small
the trusses in US this is just one small pile of junk that the US Fish and
pile of junk that the US Fish and
pile of junk that the US Fish and Wildlife Service had to collect from
Wildlife Service had to collect from
Wildlife Service had to collect from Midway lagoon which is just in Maynooth
Midway lagoon which is just in Maynooth
Midway lagoon which is just in Maynooth part of the Central Pacific there’s a
part of the Central Pacific there’s a
part of the Central Pacific there’s a lot of stuff out there there’s a gyre in
lot of stuff out there there’s a gyre in
lot of stuff out there there’s a gyre in the Central Pacific or stuff accumulates
the Central Pacific or stuff accumulates
the Central Pacific or stuff accumulates all this junk
all this junk
all this junk plastic objects rubber objects that
plastic objects rubber objects that
plastic objects rubber objects that float on the surface of the ocean some
float on the surface of the ocean some
float on the surface of the ocean some of the objects I collected on Midway and
of the objects I collected on Midway and
of the objects I collected on Midway and put out in front of an incubating
put out in front of an incubating
put out in front of an incubating albatross toothbrushes cigarette
albatross toothbrushes cigarette
albatross toothbrushes cigarette lighters GI Joes you name it they find
lighters GI Joes you name it they find
lighters GI Joes you name it they find it and because it tastes just like squid
it and because it tastes just like squid
it and because it tastes just like squid they swallow it take it back to their
they swallow it take it back to their
they swallow it take it back to their chicks which died by the thousands from
chicks which died by the thousands from
chicks which died by the thousands from indigestion you see the corpses a
indigestion you see the corpses a
indigestion you see the corpses a plastic and rubber inside this young one
plastic and rubber inside this young one
plastic and rubber inside this young one was lucky because the parent
was lucky because the parent
was lucky because the parent regurgitated a bottle cap on the ground
regurgitated a bottle cap on the ground
regurgitated a bottle cap on the ground instead of into a challenge to a chick’s
instead of into a challenge to a chick’s
instead of into a challenge to a chick’s stomach
stomach
stomach of course the problems not confined to
of course the problems not confined to
of course the problems not confined to the Central Pacific here’s a long roll
the Central Pacific here’s a long roll
the Central Pacific here’s a long roll of plastic that had been regurgitated by
of plastic that had been regurgitated by
of plastic that had been regurgitated by a wandering albatross on South Georgia
a wandering albatross on South Georgia
a wandering albatross on South Georgia if it had ended up in a bird stomach
if it had ended up in a bird stomach
if it had ended up in a bird stomach where it would have unfolded of course
where it would have unfolded of course
where it would have unfolded of course it would have caused mortality we do
it would have caused mortality we do
it would have caused mortality we do know what is happening out there there
know what is happening out there there
know what is happening out there there are enough observers on sea of Ferenc
are enough observers on sea of Ferenc
are enough observers on sea of Ferenc fishing boats accumulating data that we
fishing boats accumulating data that we
fishing boats accumulating data that we know but a fishing boats go and what
know but a fishing boats go and what
know but a fishing boats go and what they’re doing and we also know where the
they’re doing and we also know where the
they’re doing and we also know where the albatross has go and it’s no surprise
albatross has go and it’s no surprise
albatross has go and it’s no surprise that they both end up going to the same
that they both end up going to the same
that they both end up going to the same areas where fish and squid are abundant
areas where fish and squid are abundant
areas where fish and squid are abundant the albatross is accumulate behind these
the albatross is accumulate behind these
the albatross is accumulate behind these fishing boats because the fishing is
fishing boats because the fishing is
fishing boats because the fishing is easy there they grab onto the bait that
easy there they grab onto the bait that
easy there they grab onto the bait that is extended out from these fishing
is extended out from these fishing
is extended out from these fishing vessels in the case of a long liner it
vessels in the case of a long liner it
vessels in the case of a long liner it can be 80 miles of baited hooks and
because the wandering albatross is our
because the wandering albatross is our the biggest and the brashest of them all
the biggest and the brashest of them all
the biggest and the brashest of them all they end up near the baited hooks they
they end up near the baited hooks they
they end up near the baited hooks they out-compete the others and that’s
out-compete the others and that’s
out-compete the others and that’s probably one reason why this suffer
probably one reason why this suffer
probably one reason why this suffer disproportionately from this problem
disproportionately from this problem
disproportionately from this problem they drown nigel is an Australian
they drown nigel is an Australian
they drown nigel is an Australian seabird biologist who first started
seabird biologist who first started
seabird biologist who first started studying the problem of the sea bird
studying the problem of the sea bird
studying the problem of the sea bird bycatch in the late 1980s and here he is
bycatch in the late 1980s and here he is
bycatch in the late 1980s and here he is on a fishing boat off Hawaii talking
on a fishing boat off Hawaii talking
on a fishing boat off Hawaii talking with fishermen which have adopted
with fishermen which have adopted
with fishermen which have adopted another one of these easy solutions
another one of these easy solutions
another one of these easy solutions instead of running out the bait from the
instead of running out the bait from the
instead of running out the bait from the stern of a boat running it out from the
stern of a boat running it out from the
stern of a boat running it out from the site and again you can see these very
site and again you can see these very
site and again you can see these very simple devices that are dangling there
simple devices that are dangling there
simple devices that are dangling there that have reduced the mortality by more
that have reduced the mortality by more
that have reduced the mortality by more than 90%
than 90%
than 90% olam the birds are pretty safe now most
olam the birds are pretty safe now most
olam the birds are pretty safe now most of the significant colonies have
of the significant colonies have
of the significant colonies have protected status this is one of these
protected status this is one of these
protected status this is one of these extraordinary places in the Falkland
extraordinary places in the Falkland
extraordinary places in the Falkland Islands an island called Beauchesne just
Islands an island called Beauchesne just
Islands an island called Beauchesne just south of the main Falkland Islands or I
south of the main Falkland Islands or I
south of the main Falkland Islands or I had the great privilege to camp for a
had the great privilege to camp for a
had the great privilege to camp for a week
week
week wall-to-wall birds his colony extends
wall-to-wall birds his colony extends
wall-to-wall birds his colony extends for two and a half miles but it’s out at
for two and a half miles but it’s out at
for two and a half miles but it’s out at sea that the problems no occur and
sea that the problems no occur and
sea that the problems no occur and ironically it’s the bird of legend the
ironically it’s the bird of legend the
ironically it’s the bird of legend the wandering albatross that seems to be at
wandering albatross that seems to be at
wandering albatross that seems to be at the highest risk right now when I first
the highest risk right now when I first
the highest risk right now when I first went to South George in the late 1980s
went to South George in the late 1980s
went to South George in the late 1980s more than a thousand breeding pairs of
more than a thousand breeding pairs of
more than a thousand breeding pairs of this amazing snowy white race occurred
this amazing snowy white race occurred
this amazing snowy white race occurred here the population has plummeted a
here the population has plummeted a
here the population has plummeted a fewer than half of them now and you fix
fewer than half of them now and you fix
fewer than half of them now and you fix if you extend that line there’s only one
if you extend that line there’s only one
if you extend that line there’s only one end point and that is extinction but it
end point and that is extinction but it
end point and that is extinction but it doesn’t have to happen
doesn’t have to happen
doesn’t have to happen melville once wrote in the course of
melville once wrote in the course of
melville once wrote in the course of Moby Dick when he was trying to
Moby Dick when he was trying to
Moby Dick when he was trying to articulate the majesty of albatrosses he
articulate the majesty of albatrosses he
articulate the majesty of albatrosses he wrote is it conceivable that such an
wrote is it conceivable that such an
wrote is it conceivable that such an utterly majestic creature is utterly
utterly majestic creature is utterly
utterly majestic creature is utterly unknown to me and assure that was them
unknown to me and assure that was them
unknown to me and assure that was them we have no excuse anymore not to know
we have no excuse anymore not to know
we have no excuse anymore not to know about these birds and not to care about
about these birds and not to care about
about these birds and not to care about them beyond the science beyond the
them beyond the science beyond the
them beyond the science beyond the conservation a personal note what these
conservation a personal note what these
conservation a personal note what these birds mean to me my mission is to bring
birds mean to me my mission is to bring
birds mean to me my mission is to bring animals to people and to show them as
animals to people and to show them as
animals to people and to show them as dignified beings or maybe very different
dignified beings or maybe very different
dignified beings or maybe very different from ourselves but they lead parallel
from ourselves but they lead parallel
from ourselves but they lead parallel lives and there are resemblances as I
lives and there are resemblances as I
lives and there are resemblances as I hope I’ve shared with you this evening
hope I’ve shared with you this evening
hope I’ve shared with you this evening these amazing achievements these birds
these amazing achievements these birds
these amazing achievements these birds is individuals and their partnerships
is individuals and their partnerships
is individuals and their partnerships lifelong bonds
but even beyond that personal note and
but even beyond that personal note and this is the last comment I would like to
this is the last comment I would like to
this is the last comment I would like to make these birds mean more than just
make these birds mean more than just
make these birds mean more than just inspiring all in just individually they
inspiring all in just individually they
inspiring all in just individually they are ambassadors for complete consistence
are ambassadors for complete consistence
are ambassadors for complete consistence there are vital signs of wild roses that
there are vital signs of wild roses that
there are vital signs of wild roses that even little man but as long as they’re
even little man but as long as they’re
even little man but as long as they’re there
there
there because they’re flying numbers
because they’re flying numbers
because they’re flying numbers something must be right with the world
”
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