This morning, the Caledonian Star dropped anchor in the Bay of Isles, off the northwest end of South Georgia. Our goal was to land on Prion Island, home to a population of nesting wandering albatrosses. These huge birds have kept us company for most of the voyage, following the ship with their seemingly effortless method of riding the wind, called dynamic soaring. Albatrosses take advantage of the differences in wind speeds at various levels above the surface of the water. They can soar for literally hours with only an occasional flap of their wings. With wingspans often exceeding eleven feet, wanderers are among the largest of flying birds. They also fly extraordinary distances. There is one record from South Georgia of an adult flying off the coast of Brazil to bring back just over three pounds of food for its chick. The trip lasted eight days and covered more than five thousand miles.
The bird in the photo is sitting on its volcano-shaped nest, incubating an egg that was laid about two months ago. The parents will care for the chick, once it hatches, for nine months. Since the breeding process takes a full year, wandering albatrosses only mate every other year, spending the rest of their lives at sea.
