I Persued, She Withdrew...

...she persued and I withdrew...

And so we danced.

Albatross are long lived birds, for many decades actually. These open ocean wanderers are generally solitary for much of their lives. Solitary except for one other. Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes) are long-lived and like other albatrosses, and many seabirds for that matter, are monogamous.

Black-footed Albatross (BFAL) return to breeding islands when 3 years of age, but are believed not to nest unti they are atleast 5 yrs old.

In the intervening years.....

...they dance, build nests, and spend time with their prospective mate.

Pair bonds remain intact until the death or disappearance of a partner.

The dance is an important part of the formation of the pair bond; consisting of a number of ritualized display postures in various sequences.

Black-footed Albatross and Laysan Albatross(D. immutabilis) perform similar dances.

The dance of the BFAL is supposed to be speedier and more vigorous than the Laysan.

The Laysans arrive ~2weeks later than the BFALs to their breeding islands, as they did on Tern. I haven't seen much yet of the Laysan's dance, as many are still awaititing their partner to show up. Some have just started to.

a pair of Laysan Albatross just down the hall and out
the door from my quarters

Studies have shown these particular species of albatross have lived to 40 years of age or older. Some bands on those studies could not be read, suggesting even older birds.

"still crazy, after all these years..."

**an update...

The first BFAL egg to be found on island was today, 10 Nov 2007

BFAL C 099

Studies have shown the average duration of incubation to be ~65 days. The egg is incubated continually, and both male and female share in that duty.

Go 'bows, and good evening from the Pacific.

blowing out the flame