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2007 01 02 (48e) Gannets @ Muriwai-300d-10

2007 .. Gannet in flight at Muriwai New Zealand

 

Canon dSLR 300d at 1/2500 400iso with Canon 75-300mm lens at 300mm f7.1

 

The gannet family or Sulidae is related to the shags and pelicans and contains mainly the tropical boobies.

 

There are three subspecies, bassana of the North Atlantic, capensis of southern Africa and serrator of New Zealand and Australia.

 

Morus serrator breeds in New Zealand, the Norfolk group of islands and Australia. In New Zealand they breed in 28 colonies, the largest being Gannet Island, west of Kawhai, and White Island in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

 

Immature gannets return to New Zealand when 2–5 years of age and breed from 4–7 years of age. With an estimated life span of 25–38 years, gannets are one of the longest living sea birds.

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Uploaded on August 8, 2010
Taken on January 2, 2007