The Amazing Courtship of the Waved Albatross
The first report of Albatros sighting in 2005 was this past March 28th. In Galpagos, the arrival of the islands largest bird is more than just an arrival. It is in fact, about the start of many other natural events. For instance, the arrival of albatrosses tells us that the southeast trade winds are on their way, and thus the beginning of the dry season is just around the corner.
This also means that the hot season is officially ending, and that the islands will turn arid in just about 2 more weeks or so. Thus, we conclude that Galpagos is a world of perpetual change. If theres one event that can be labelled impressive, attractive and even comical at times, it must be the courtship ritual of the waved albatross. Such courtship is more than just a mere reproductive prelude. It is, without a doubt, one of the most important attractions in Galpagos wildlife, and it only occurs in the months of April, May and June. Finding a mate on Espaola (Hood) Island is no easy task; the terrain is quite irregular and theres plenty of dry brush from the previous hot season.
Nevertheless, male albatrosses manage to arrive first, and patiently wait for females to arrive. Once together, courtship is an elaborate set of cues given by one individual and followed by the other potential mate.
This orchestrated set of moves is then repeated, but in reverse by the former mate. A series of strange noises that may resemble geese and a set of horn-like sounds can be heard all over the island. Part of the courtship even includes some bill fencing (very attractive yellow bills by the way), ending with a superb sky point and a sheer drop of the neck and head towards the back of the wing. Here, some preening of the primary feather of the wing takes place, and it is all back to where they started. The complete set can last as long as 45 minutes.
In our week-long expeditions, the M/V Santa Cruz and the Yacht Isabela II include Espaola Island, and the nesting colony of the waved albatross. Also, the Friday-Monday expedition of the M/V Santa Cruz will make a regular stop at this unique location.
Authors\r This article was developed by Metropolitan Touring, for their newsletter, and was wrote by a team of travelers, field guides, operations and marketing staff inside the company, all of them has more than 10 years working in the Galapagos cruises and tours guiding and sales, Sylvia Moncayo, Francisco Dousdebs, Santiago Tamayo, Gonzalo Alvarez are the team who produce our articles, Email info@metropolitan-touring.com Article Copyright Metropolitan Touring Corporation 2005 - 2006
Source:\r
The "Enchanted Isles" A Wildlife Paradise
The resident clown grabs a twig from the dirt, waves it in the air and then places it at the feet of the object of his affect...
Nokia 6500 Slide - Slide It Fashionably
The Nokia 6500 Slide is a great looking phone with some of the most commendable features. The handset has great quality displ...
Motorola KRZR K1- A Great Mobile Phone
The Motorola KRZR K1 features advanced camera that offers amazing pictures with the resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. The 2 m...
Add An Alaskan Land Tour To Your Cruise
Those that love all that Alaska has to offer can consider making their Alaskan cruise even more meaningful and amazing by tak...
Trend of Samsung Armani - Style Galore
Samsung is an ace mobile manufacturing brand that has captured the mobile phone markets with its amazing products. This leadi...
Sony Ericsson K810i - Ahead of This Time
Sony Ericsson K810i is a perfect blend of style and function. This GSM light weight mobile comes in two colors i.e. ivory gol...
Bahamas Cruise Vacations
Do you love the sun, exotic islands, and tropical fun? Well, then Bahamas cruise vacations are the perfect way to spend an u...
Samsung G600 - A Multi-Utility Phone
The Samsung G600 comes in a slide-open design and is a multi-utility phone. This handset is available in an enigmatic black c...
Amazing Bass Fishing Tips - Save Time, Effort And Money
Many a good angler has learnt a lot by keeping his eyes and ears peeled during his amateur days of fishing. A lot can be lear...
8 Crucial Search Engine Optimization Tips For Affiliate Marketing!
It's amazing to see many affiliates struggling to make commissions because they don't know or they just neglect the importanc...
Sony Ericsson K810i - The Loaded One
The latest mobile set from the world of Sony is Sony Ericsson K810i. Sony Ericsson K810i is slim phone which weighs only 115 ...
Nokia 6300 - Exemplification of Excellence
Nokia is a pioneering brand from Finland which has captured the mobile phones market across the world. The brand is ruling th...
Mobile Phone Deals - Cheap and Affordable
Every body uses mobile phones these days, however different users have different needs and preferences. They have different b...
Sony Ericsson Z610i - A Feature Rich Mobile Phone
Sony Ericsson Z610i mesmerises its onlooker with its powerful yet simple functionalities and stylish yet sturdy design. In a ...
Alaska Cruise Vacations: The Top Ten Reasons to Go
I have to admit, I love Alaska. I fell in love with the place on my first Alaska cruise. The scenery is beyond incredible, ...
Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions: The Best in Each Port
An Alaska cruise can be the most memorable vacation you ever take. Part of what makes a glacier cruise so special are the sh...
Oregon Salmon Fishing For King Salmon
While not as well known as many of the other salmon fishing spots in the United States such as Michigan, Washington and Alask...
Samsung Armani - Fabulously Fashionable Phone
Samsung phones are considered truly wonderful in terms of looks, performance and connectivity. In recent times there has been...
The Smart LG KU990 Viewty - An Amazing High-End Phone
The recently introduced LG KU990 Viewty mobile phone is a superb device with brilliant imaging features. Apart from being a g...
Alaska Cruise Tours From Anchorage - The Best Post-Cruise Tour
With an Alaska cruise, you have some great optional land tours that you can add on either before or after your actual cruise....
