G’day Mike,
I suspect the first couple of images have been effected by slightly different
light or image adjustment in Photoshop as the bill doesn’t look quite as yellow
as later shots in the run, but I suspect the dark patch is essentially the
same extent for all. The bill appears almost Salvin’s like in the first couple
of images, but even the yellower shots reveal a fair degree of dullness in the
latericorn in particular, I wonder if this bird is a young adult or if this
species has a slightly duller bill when not breeding. A very useful set of
images of a slightly duller billed bird shown extremely well. But my guess
would be a single individual is involved.
A message to Raja, your Soft-plumaged Petrel photos are by far the best I have
ever seen, you are reaching extremely high standards of image quality in you
photos. Superb tonal balance and crisp noise free images, looking forward to
every new set you post on your website.
Cheers Jeff.
From: Mike Carter
Sent: Sunday, 11 September 2011 2:23 PM
To: Nikolas Haass; Daniel Mantle;
Cc: Jeff Davies; Rohan Clarke; David James; david mitford; rob hynson
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Eaglehawk Neck,Tasmania - Pelagic Reports 3&4 Sept
2011 - photos. TWO not one CHATHAM ALBATROSS?
In my opinion the difference is too extreme to be artefact so I'll be very
surprised if only one bird was involved.
Did this/these birds come and go, or once present, stay with the boat? Also
check and compare the times on Raja's images. I can't do that. Most of the
first displayed images have the vestigial dark spot and the later and closer
ones show the large spot. Not only is this of interest with regard to how many
birds you saw but it helps BARC to assess reports that say 'bill wholly
yellow'. This debate and the new taxonomy has spurned a rash of submissions.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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