photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighty-three: Impressions of the Galapagos – an extended photo-essay > Courting Waved Albatrosses, Punta Saurez, Espanola Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador, 2012
previous | next
22-JUN-2012

Courting Waved Albatrosses, Punta Saurez, Espanola Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador, 2012

Almost the entire world population of waved albatrosses -- more than 30,000 of them -- nest on Espanola Island. As I walked among the nests, I photographed this pair in the midst of an elaborate courting ritual, which includes much bill-circling and clacking as well as a formalized dance -- actually a waddle. This image may be soundless, but it stimulates our sense of hearing, and asks the viewer to imagine the sound of frantic clacking.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
1/500s f/7.1 at 91.0mm iso160 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time22-Jun-2012 14:46:09
MakePanasonic
ModelDMC-GH2
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length91 mm
Exposure Time1/500 sec
Aperturef/7.1
ISO Equivalent160
Exposure Bias-0.33
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis18-Sep-2012 20:40
Thanks, Iris, for pondering the mysteries of Albatross courtship. That's why I made and posted this image. Once again, we see ourselves in this mating behavior. We clack at each other as well when we are looking for mates. And that is how we get to know each other. And if we don't happen to like the clacks we hear, we eventually go off to clack with someone else
Iris Maybloom (irislm)18-Sep-2012 18:44
Since they mate for life, this courtship ritual is very important. I wonder what happens of one doesn't like the other's clacking. These two seem to be getting along just fine!
Phil Douglis03-Aug-2012 19:07
The mating rituals of Waved Albatrosses can be very loud. I have never watched those TV reruns, but I see where this ritual can resemble an animated argument. Actually, this conversation is all about courting -- they are not speaking, but rather performing for each other.
Carol E Sandgren03-Aug-2012 04:39
For some strange reason I am reminded of Lucy and Ricky in I Love Lucy reruns...always shouting over each other. An interesting way to court! These birds have beautiful colors too.
Phil Douglis26-Jul-2012 20:33
It takes two to gossip, and it takes two to mate as well. So this behavior can well serve both needs.
Tim May26-Jul-2012 17:30
I think I've been to this party - this reminds me of gossip.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment