ANTARCTICA | Friday, 4 January 2013 | Views [818] | View Smaller Image
An intimate moment of grooming between a Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora) pair reinforces their bond before they swap places on the nest. These unbelievably huge birds struggle to keep their balance and their feathers immaculate in the relentless wind gusts that are vital for their take-offs. This recovering population is at most threat from longline fishing. Campbell Island, sub-Antarctic islands.