Rising Tide Images
Aerial Inspection
A Laysan albatross glides over a nest site at the breeding colony searching for its mate. After months of solitary wandering of tens of thousands of miles over the north Pacific, male Laysan albatrosses (Phoebastria immutabilis) return to the breeding colony and prepare a simple scrape nest in the same location as the previous year. Returning with strong mate fidelity female birds search the nest sites with a low pass looking for their mate while the nester searches the sky. Juveniles that have not yet established a life-long bond or curious visitors from other colonies may also make a flyby inspection looking for a potential mate.
Aerial Inspection
A Laysan albatross glides over a nest site at the breeding colony searching for its mate. After months of solitary wandering of tens of thousands of miles over the north Pacific, male Laysan albatrosses (Phoebastria immutabilis) return to the breeding colony and prepare a simple scrape nest in the same location as the previous year. Returning with strong mate fidelity female birds search the nest sites with a low pass looking for their mate while the nester searches the sky. Juveniles that have not yet established a life-long bond or curious visitors from other colonies may also make a flyby inspection looking for a potential mate.