Black-browed Albatross
Albatross are supremely graceful in the air.
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Albatross are supremely graceful in flight.

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Around this colony on Saunders Island, you can see hundreds of birds soaring at a time.

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Albatross are long-lived birds with slow reproductive rates. A pair builds and maintains a beautiful mud-cup nest.

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Pairs commonly sit together with one on the nest and another at hand. You can see the heads of some resting Rockhopper Penguins in the corner of this picture.

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The birds spend time resting when not hunting, preening, or feeding the young.

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The prominent stripe makes nestlings look like they're grinning.

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The birds place their nests near each other, but out of a pecking distance.

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Behind this nest, you can see a rocky platform near the water's edge with Rock Cormorants and Rockhopper Penguins resting after returning from the sea.

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Adult plumage protects the bird perfectly from rain and sea water.

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This youngster is wet from the rain and needs looking after.

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Preening is a constant part of bird life.

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The adult birds are very attentive to their young.

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Here both adults are in attendance at feeding time.

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This nestling is getting a nutritious feed.

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This portrait shows the bird's black brow.

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It's impossible not to fall in love with these creatures.