Category: Travel

Travels around the world

Thirteen-Years Ago (24-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Winter Family Vacation. Day 4: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Florø to Kristandsund).

While the MS Kong Harald was docking in Torvik, I noticed a large heron like bird on a rock. I later identified it as a Grey Heron. It looks very similar to the Great Heron found in North America.

Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Alesund, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thirteen-Years Ago (24-January-2007) — At Sea, Norwegian Sea

Gone to See Norway 2007 Winter Family Vacation. Day 4: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Florø to Kristandsund).

Seabirds from the deck of the MS Kong Harald while traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. A Gull (not identified) in flight, and an European Shag taking off.

Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gull in flight from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag taking off viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag in flight viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag in flight viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag in flight viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Shag in flight viewed from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Fram traveling between Torvik and Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thirteen-Years Ago (23-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 3: Bergen.

While on a walkabout in Bergen near the Kunstmuseum, I noticed a large crow like bird with a white underbelly. Later identified as an Eurasian Magpie. These are believed to be one of the most intelligent of non-human animals.

Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Eurasian Magpie. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (17-January-2016) — Pacific Ocean

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 12: Crossing the Pacific Ocean.

At least three of the Masked Boobies remained with the ship overnight. At dawn one was up on the mast. Once the sun rose, they flew above the ship for a while, then flew away.

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Masked Booby on the Mast at Dawn. Image taken with a Nikon N1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 6400, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
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Masked Booby on the Mast at Dawn. Image taken with a Nikon N1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 6400, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
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Masked Booby in flight just after sunrise. Image taken with a Nikon N1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 560, 116 mm, f/5.6 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
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Three Masked Boobies in flight just after sunrise. Image taken with a Nikon N1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO250, 149 mm, f/5.6 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (15-January-2016) — Pacific Ocean

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 11: Crossing the Pacific Ocean.

As soon as the sun was up there were a number of Brown Boobies using the thermals above the MV World Odyssey as they searched for flying fish. As the sun was setting a Brown Booby landed on one of the ship’s mast and started preening. Later in the evening I came across a Masked Booby on the deck of the ship. We finally had close up confirmation that there were Masked Boobies following the ship. There wasn’t room for the large bird to take off from the deck. Crew members from the ship covered it with a blanket and brought it to an area that was windy and clear of obstructions so it could take off.


Brown Boobies soaring in the early morning sun viewed from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed at my PhotoShelter Gallery.

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Brown Booby preening on a mast. Image taken with a Nikon N1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)


A large Masked Brown Booby Stowaway on the desk of the MV World Odyssey. Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed at my PhotoShelter Gallery. (David J Mathre)