10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2013

Two hours after getting off the boat after checking out Sperm Whales we were off again out to find some albatross. The rocks here are particularly good for New Zealand Fur-seals, but we also saw Variable Oystercatchers , Black-fronted Terns, Caspian Terns , White-fronted Terns, Red-billed Gulls and Kelp Gulls. A New Zealand Fur-seal.

Albatross 166

Albatross New Zealand Seals Fur 166

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2013

What put this once small fishing town on the map was not birds but mammals, specifically whales and dolphins. The reason Kaikoura is such a great place to see albatrosses and whales is one and the same, and the same reason indeed that Monterrey in California is a great place to watch whales and albatross.

Whales 209

Whales Whaling Albatross New Zealand 209

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Add to this regular sightings of Humpback and Southern Right Whale, inside and outside the bay, as well as year round sightings of Bryde’s Whale and occasional summer reports of Orca in pursuit of dolphin off Cape Point, and you have some idea as to what to expect in the way of the ‘unexpected’.

Albatross 187

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 187

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

And, they wear tuxedos, which seem to provide camouflage while they are swimming, where leopard seals, sharks, and other creatures would like to make a meal of them. They are excellent underwater swimmers, can capture prey with their well-adapted beaks, and can hold their breath for very long periods of time. Salas-Gismondi, R., Shawkey, M.,

Penguins 197

Penguins Seals Peru Science 197

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

At sea there are also New Zealand Sea Lions and Southern Right Whales. Abel Tasman is popular for its easy hiking trail along the coast and kayaking, keep an eye out for New Zealand Fur Seals and Spotted Shags. In actuality, you’ve lucked out, you’re near The Catlins , a dramatic area of well preserved temperate rainforest.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Seals 157

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

The descriptions of the territory’s birds, seals, whales, introduced mammals, invertebrates, and plants are written within the framework of the conversationist, so it is more than a field guide, it is a record of endangered wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it. Who can resist penguins and whales?

Georgia 174

Georgia Penguins Wildlife Whales 174

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2013

Sharks, Cape Fur Seals and even Killer Whales will prey on them in the ocean. Obviously, the penguins are more vulnerable on land, hence their propensity to nest on offshore islands. But, although they are extremely agile and quick swimmers, they are not out of danger when they enter the water.

Penguins 224

Penguins South Africa Africa Sharks 224

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2011

There was no pretending this was a whale-watching trip, a ruse that is growing stale anyway. Bald Eagles competed with hauled out Harbor Seals for our attention and we were told that the concentration of eagles was due to the salmon not yet running in the rivers. And quite a view it was!

Washington 173

Washington Protection Puffins Rhinoceros 173

10,000 Birds

JUNE 22, 2011

Helmets are not required as the gulls are not a problem at night, but in addition to rain pants adn waterproof jackets you need gumboots and large quantities of duct tape in order to seal off the various entrances to your clothes, as the Brandt Cormorant chicks have large quantities of lice which crawl everywhere given half a chance.

Breeding 186

Breeding Stray Seals Whales 186

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

I’ve been on a whale-watching trip in Orange County , twice gone out to Santa Cruz Island , and even visited Protection Island off the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Pacific White-sided Dolphin with a Fin Whale. (At At least I think that’s a Fin Whale. I’m bad at whales.). I want to see more of them!

Whales 113

Whales Whaling Albatross Dolphins 113