Rising Tide Images
Wind Check
With light and variable morning winds a Laysan albatross majestically checks the direction. Large birds built for dynamic soaring, albatross benefit from the airspeed lift provided by a headwind, without which they may not be able to takeoff. After determining wind speed and direction, this one clumsily walked considerable distance to find a clearing with enough running room for liftoff in a light sea breeze. After airborne on two meters of high aspect ratio wingspan, this beautiful mōlī gracefully glided across the breeding grounds in lazy eights then banked out to sea. Albatross spend many solitary months and thousands of nomadic miles at sea only returning to land to nest. O871 was banded as a chick at Kaena Point NAR in 2013.
Wind Check
With light and variable morning winds a Laysan albatross majestically checks the direction. Large birds built for dynamic soaring, albatross benefit from the airspeed lift provided by a headwind, without which they may not be able to takeoff. After determining wind speed and direction, this one clumsily walked considerable distance to find a clearing with enough running room for liftoff in a light sea breeze. After airborne on two meters of high aspect ratio wingspan, this beautiful mōlī gracefully glided across the breeding grounds in lazy eights then banked out to sea. Albatross spend many solitary months and thousands of nomadic miles at sea only returning to land to nest. O871 was banded as a chick at Kaena Point NAR in 2013.