Leaving Milford Sound we headed west, all was well at first but as we woke on the 6th February it was to conditions very similar to those we had experienced coming around the southern tip of New Zealand, the ship was rolling and smacking into the waves. Everywhere was creaking and drawers were smashing open and shut. The restaurants had learnt and everything was laid down that could fall over and the plates were stacked low.
The first day was overcast and murky, and there were no birds outside as we headed out in open seas. The second day dawned clear blue with sunshine and calmer seas. Hopeful we made our way on to deck and I had a brief spell watching the sea and this produced a couple of immature Southern Royal Albatross
Having left the nest the immatures spend up to five years at sea never once touching ground, they follow the trade winds around the hemisphere feeding on squid and fish, they have the ability to switch of one side of their brains, so they are able to sleep while flying. They will settle on the water.
Like all tube noses they can drink sea water and filter out the salts through the glands on their bill.
The immatures can be identified by the streaking on the head and back of the neck.
It was only a brief interlude of sunshine and clear skies. The cloud returned and also rain in the afternoon. To make matter worse we were told that due to a dockers strike in Hobart our arrival would be delayed to allow time for them to return to work.
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