Thursday 23 August 2012

Wilson´s Storm Petrel

A few photos made during my mini-pelagic trip at  Fuzeta, Algarve in the company of Georg Schreier, who runs birdwatching-algarve. The Algarve calm waters are one of the best places to watch Wilsons Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus during the summer months, we went only 6 nm offshore during a 3hour mini trip, sometimes no chum is needed if you check the fishing boats nearby.

Rafts of Cory´s Shearwaters are common offshore ....
 
 juvenile Audouin´s Gull Larus audounii.....
 
After several fishing boats were checked we finally found Storm petrels feeding: European Storm Petrel Hidrobates pelagicus, and Wilson´s Strom Petrel Oceanites oceanicus.
 
EUSP Hidrobates pelagicus
 
EUSP Hidrobates pelagicus
 
EUSP Hidrobates pelagicus
 
EUSP Hidrobates pelagicus
 
WISP Oeanites oceanicus
 
WISP Oeanites oceanicus
 
WISP Oeanites oceanicus
 
A large group of Bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, decided to show up...these amazing animals are far more beautiful in the wild than in any sealife park....amazing!!!!
Time to go back onshore, but with a hudge smile on my face!