Light-mantled Sooty Albatross ( Phoebetria palpebrata) is considered by many as the most beautiful of the albatross species.
South Georgia Island is one of the most important breeding sites for this bird. They breed in small scattered colonies on the very steep grassy slopes.
Their synchronous mating flight is very fascinating. In Gold Harbour, I saw a couple of these albatrosses repeatedly fly over a cliff high up the hillside, and decided to climb up there to enjoy a closer look. It was a good decision - a pair of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses landed in the grass a few meters away and here they continued their courtship. A third albatross landed and disturbed their courtship. At no time they noticed my presence, so I could comfortably take some pictures.I do not know the end of the story - I had to return to the ship.
Links to Wikipedia:Light-mantled Sooty Albatross
20030108-5326-light-mantled-sooty-albatross-courtship.jpg3072 x 2048 pixels Sidst ændret d. 01-05-2010Sooty Albatross courtship at Gold Harbour, South Georgia IslandLight-mantled Sooty Albatross is considered by many as the most beautiful albatross. South Georgia Island is one of the most important breeding sites for this bird.gold harbour, courtship, light-mantled sooty albatross, phoebetria palpebrata, albatrosses, south ge