View allAll Photos Tagged openocean

We were 36 hours sailing out of Mauritius (on a live-aboard fishing trip) when this open-ocean sunset closed the day.

The Hawaiian Chieftain tall ship on its afternoon sail, with a few surf scoters thrown in!

As seen from Morro Stand State Beach.

The Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) is one of the most widespread and abundant albatrosses, easily recognized by the dark “eyebrow” contrasting with its pale face and a strong yellow to orange bill.

 

Although large compared to most seabirds, it is among the smaller members of the albatross family, typically weighing 3–5 kilograms (7–11 pounds) with a wingspan ranging from 2.1 to 2.5 meters (7–8.2 feet). These seabirds are superb gliders, using dynamic soaring to harness the wind over ocean waves. This allows them to cover thousands of kilometers with minimal effort, often traveling for hours without flapping their wings.

 

They feed mainly on fish, squid, and crustaceans, and are also known to follow fishing vessels in search of discards. Highly long-lived, some individuals are recorded at over 70 years of age. They return to land only to breed, gathering in dense colonies on remote subantarctic islands. Pairs usually mate for life, engaging in elaborate courtship displays before raising a single chick per season.

 

• Albatros de ceja negra

• Black-browed albatross

• Albatroz-de-sobrancelha

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Diomedeidae

Genus: Thalassarche

Species: T. melanophris

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

During the peak of the fish throw used to attract birds on the pelagic trip, among the hundreds of circling gulls, a uvenile (grey-billed, barely visible) and an adult black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) raced for the fish, showing that the quickest and most skillful get the prize.

 

• Albatros de ceja negra

• Black-browed albatross

• Albatroz-de-sobrancelha

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Diomedeidae

Genus: Thalassarche

Species: T. melanophris

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

 

• Albatros de ceja negra

• Black-browed albatross

• Albatroz-de-sobrancelha

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Diomedeidae

Genus: Thalassarche

Species: T. melanophris

 

Juvenile

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

 

• Petrel gigante del sur

• Southern giant petrel

• Petrélao-gigante-do-sul

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Procellariidae

Genus: Macronectes

Species: M. giganteus

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

The Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), or Antarctic giant petrel, is a massive seabird of the Southern Ocean, rivaling an albatross in size. Found from subantarctic islands to Antarctic coasts, it is both predator and scavenger, exploiting carcasses, seabirds, and fisheries waste. Two plumage morphs exist—dark and light—and, when threatened, it defends itself by ejecting rancid stomach oil, a trait that gave rise to its nickname, “stinker.”

 

For identification, Macronectes giganteus differs from M. halli by its pale green to olive bill tip (vs. reddish in halli) and its darker brown eyes (vs. pale yellow or grayish).

 

• Petrel gigante del sur, Abanto marino antártico

• Southern giant petrel, Antarctic giant petrel

• Petrélao-gigante-do-sul

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Procellariidae

Genus: Macronectes

Species: M. giganteus

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

• Petrel gigante del sur

• Southern giant petrel

• Petrélao-gigante-do-sul

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Procellariidae

Genus: Macronectes

Species: M. giganteus

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

• Albatros de ceja negra

• Black-browed albatross

• Albatroz-de-sobrancelha

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Diomedeidae

Genus: Thalassarche

Species: T. melanophris

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

 

The Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), also known as the Antarctic giant petrel, is a formidable seabird native to the Southern Ocean. It is among the largest members of the Procellariidae family, with a wingspan of up to 2.1 meters and a body length of up to 90 cm. This species exhibits two distinct color morphs: dark and light. It is an opportunistic feeder, voraciously scavenging on marine mammals, other seabirds, and fish. It is often seen trailing fishing vessels to feed on discarded bycatch. The petrel breeds in small colonies on subantarctic islands, laying a single egg per season. A remarkable defense mechanism is vomiting a foul-smelling stomach oil when threatened, which deters predators and has earned them the nickname "stinkers" among sailors.

 

• Petrel gigante del sur, Abanto marino antártico

• Southern giant petrel, Antarctic giant petrel

• Petrélao-gigante-do-sul

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Procellariidae

Genus: Macronectes

Species: M. giganteus

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."Rabindranath Tagore (Stray Birds)

 

Open Ocean Series #1

The Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), or Antarctic giant petrel, is a massive seabird of the Southern Ocean, rivaling an albatross in size. Found from subantarctic islands to Antarctic coasts, it is both predator and scavenger, exploiting carcasses, seabirds, and fisheries waste. Two plumage morphs exist—dark and light—and, when threatened, it defends itself by ejecting rancid stomach oil, a trait that gave rise to its nickname, “stinker.”

 

For identification, Macronectes giganteus differs from M. halli by its pale green to olive bill tip (vs. reddish in halli) and its darker brown eyes (vs. pale yellow or grayish).

 

• Petrel gigante del sur, Abanto marino antártico

• Southern giant petrel, Antarctic giant petrel

• Petrélao-gigante-do-sul

 

Scientific classification:

Superdomain: Neomura

Domain: Eukaryota

(unranked): Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

(unranked): Bilateria

Superphylum: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Tetrapoda

Clade: Amniota

Clade: Diapsida

Clade: Archosauria

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Clade: Neoaves

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Procellariidae

Genus: Macronectes

Species: M. giganteus

 

Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)

A beautiful walk along the waterfront at Gaff Point, Nova Scotia.

 

Off Southern California on a research cruise.

A beautiful walk along the waterfront at Gaff Point, Nova Scotia.

Two Humpback Whales breaching in open BC waters between mainland and northern Haida Gwaii.

 

Those are indeed the two front halves (not the tails) of two nearly school bus sized marine mammals leaping out of the water. I have seen a reasonable number whale breaches in my life but never a double breach. It was amazing to see!

 

If you have ever had a chance to photograph whales, you will know that any breach is exciting, and it is something you usually will not see when you are whale watching (based on my experiences). Photographing breaches is even harder because you have no clue where and when they will leap out of the water, so usually most of my attempts to photograph a breach are just giant splashes. For this shot I couldn't have been luckier. One whale breached fairly close to the boat, and I had just gotten a splash. A minute passed with no more activity, but I decided to get ready with my camera just in case something happened. And just like that, two whales breached right where I was pointing my lens!!! Talk about luck!!

Key West Harbor - Key West, Florida U.S.A.

SUNSET - Spring 2022 - March 23rd, 2022

Choppy Channel - Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

 

*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Final Curtain]

 

*[un-inhabited island and a reef sailboat-shipwreck]

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West,_Florida

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_keys

 

"Margaritaville" - Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4XtBiWgXLE

 

"It's Five-Oclock Somewhere" - Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPCjC543llU

Off Southern California on a research cruise.

hehe!!! ;-)

Thanks to you all my friends!

Sea lion hanging with the humpbacks.

Again...powered by Nature!

I knew I had a photo of this wall, it was painted in 1994?

fixed up in 2009, for the 2010 Olympic Games hosted in

Vancouver, then demolished in 2015, along with the hotel

it was painted on. And because I am very remiss about tagging

my photos ... it took me a while to find it, maybe that should be my New Year's resolution ! But while I was searching for this one, I found lots of other good ones !

 

here is a link to all the walls that Robert Wyland painted

all over the world -

www.openoceans.org/whale-walls

  

A juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger flies by far offshore in BC waters between mainland North America and Haida Gwaii.

Wave breaking over a deep ocean reef, Australia

Schooner America 2.0 ~ 3500 Feet of Sails ~ Sunset Sail

Florida Keys ~ Key West Harbor ~ Key West, Florida U.S.A.

 

(3 more America 2.0 photos 'from this trip' in the comments)

 

**************************************************************************************

History: Designed and built by Scarano Boat Inc. in Albany, N.Y., the America 2.0 had big shoes to fill. Its 1995 predecessor, the 139-foot America (now berthed in Santa Barbara) won the hearts and minds of many islanders on and off the docks. That ship replicated the original America, a 101-foot sailing vessel that won an 1851 race against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron in what would become known forever as the "America's Cup" in honor of that ship. The 1851 original America ended up a blockade-runner for the Confederacy and after the Yankees seized her, became a blockade-buster for the federals. She remained government property until falling victim to a shed collapse in 1945, and with the shed was scrapped and burned.

 

America 2.0 (105 feet) replaced the 1995 replica schooner America (139 feet). The '95 replica is now berthed in Santa Barbara, California

keysnews.com/node/35536

 

The America 2.0, the Adirondack III, the Western Union, the Appledore and other tall ships are credited with helping keep

Key West's maritime traditions alive for years to come.

 

Sunset Cruise on the America 2.0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwafAYA32Ek

 

Sailing the Schooner America (w/ great music!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Wm0NQnfKY

 

America 2.0 - by Classic Harbor Line (w/ great sunset!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-KIhBdQsE#t=78.783416

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West,_Florida

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_keys

"A chaos of mind and body - a time for weeping at sunsets and at the glamour of moonlight - a confusion and profusion of beliefs and hopes, in God, in Truth, in Love, and in Eternity - an ability to be transported by the beauty of physical objects - a heart to ache or swell- a joy so hoyful and a sorrow so sorrowful that oceans could lie between them..."

T.H. White (The Once and Future King)

 

Open Ocean Series #3

A gentle and curious spotted dolphin checking out the boat!:-)

Swimming against the biiig waves!!!!

...first leg of our trip to Nova Scotia...

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