Royal Albatross portrait, Pacific Ocean, Chile

At sea, off Chanaral de Aceituno, Atacama Region, Chile (February 2019)

This image was taken during the North Chile's Coastal & Desert Wildlife trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). Our boat Arca de Noe was captained by Patricio Ortiz of Chanaral de Aceituno.

Royal Albatross is sometimes split into Southern and Northern. This bird is thought to be a Northern Royal Albatross due to the upper wings being mostly dark and showing only small areas of white at the base. Status is classified as Vulnerable (Southern) and Endangered (Northern). For more information on this species of bird see the following links:
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora / Internet Bird Collection
Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi / Internet Bird Collection
Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora / BirdForum
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora / BirdLife International
Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi / BirdLife International
Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Shooting /Time 11:17
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/3200
Av(Aperture Value) 4.5
Exposure Compensation +1/3
ISO Speed 320

Latitude 29 15 25.1 S
Longitude 71 48 14.0 W
Altitude -14.10m