Albatross's from Kaikoura

Photo: Salvin's albatross.

Today's whale watching trip was really only about seeing sperm whale but inevitably I picked up  a few decent seabirds, most pleasing of which were this stunning Salvin's albatross and a few southern royal albatross. This brings my albatross life list to ten species.

Photo: Salvin's albatross.

Southern royal albatross. Note the dark line along the cutting edge of the bill.

Cape pigeon, a new species for me today.

Northern giant petrel.

Northern giant petrel.

Gibson's wandering albatross. Note the lack of a black line along the cutting edge of the bill.

Not the best photo in the world but good enough to confirm that this is a Westland petrel,