Leaving Tauranga in the evening we had a day at sea as we headed south towards the South Island of New Zealand, waking in the morning we had overcast conditions and a rolling sea, so after breakfast I was up on deck to watch the sea. Once again there was a good steady stream of Buller's Shearwaters, making it look easy as they weaved their way around the waves.
I had seen a single Australian Gannet as we sailed through Auckland Harbour, but today we were being followed by quite a few. Very much like the northern Gannet with the yellow ochre head, but showing much more black on the primaries and secondaries.
All dark shearwaters then appeared, the light bill identifying them as Flesh-footed Shearwaters.
Australasian Gannet and Buller's Shearwater.
A single Buller's Shearwater and three Flesh-footed Shearwater
The dolphins following the wake of the ship.
Flesh-footed Dolphin, showing well the light bill.
More Australasian Gannets.
And finally some nice close shots of Buller's Shearwater as they followed the ship.
There was a fleeting view of an Albatross as we went to dinner, hopefully as with sail alongside the South Island we will begin to come across these magnificent birds.
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