young Black foot

I think this individual is a juvenile, because plumage is black luster and no wear compared with other individuals.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 29th/Oct/2011.

Tomakomai Cruise

I organized cruising boat in Tomakomai at 20th February.

As soon as the cruise started, a Spectacled Guillemot appeared.

I felt it was good omen, but good birds didn't appeared around this sea area. So I was forward to off shore.

I found a sea area where a numbers of Least Auklets were staying, I counted in total about 50 individuals in this area, but they were too shy flying away at far distance to take photo. I tried to approach them, as a result, I got closer enough to observe.

I think Laysan Albatross is a summer visitor in this sea area, but some of them are staying in this season.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 20th/Feb/2011.

Tomakomai Cruise

I organized cruise in Tomakomai at 15th January.
It was very waving day, so it was difficult to find birds.

Brünnich's Guillemot.

A number of Laysan Albatrosses were seen, though they were seen in summer as usual.

Some Least Auklets were seen. An individual were at very short range beside me, unfortunately I didn't see it...

A White-tailed Eagle flew above my boat.

Tomakomai Cruising4 -Albatrosses-

In the cruising, albatrosses are one of target, they can be seen about 30km from the shore,water depth is about 100m.


Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes)



Laysan Albatross (Diomedea Diomedea)

Finally we saw Short-tailed Albatross (Diomedea albatrus).

It was very exiting.

All photos in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Oct/2009