[Length 31.25 in. Wingspan 78 in.]

At first glance, the Laysan Albatross looks like a gull. But a closer examination reveals the exceptionally long wings which are the trademark of all Albatrosses. A more subtle field mark is the lack of white on the leading or trailing edges of the wings. All gulls show one or both of these field marks. The Laysan Albatross also seldom flaps its wings like a gull, but glides effortlessly over the waves. The combination of white head, dark back, and white rump distinguish the Laysan Albatross from other Albatrosses likely to be seen along the west coast of North America (e.g., the Black-footed Albatross is dark all over and the very rare Short-tailed Albatross has a white back). Laysan Albatrosses breed on Pacific Islands, but spend most of their life at sea. This Laysan Albatross was photographed from the ferry which runs from Tokyo to Kushiro (on the northern island of Hokkaido), Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 11 in. Wingspan xx in.]

This Brown-eared Bulbul was photographed at a city park in Tokyo, Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 6.25 in. Wingspan xx in.]

This Siberian Meadow Bunting was photographed on the Ebino Plateau highlands on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 6.25 in. Wingspan xx in.]

This Siberian Meadow Bunting was photographed on the Ebino Plateau highlands on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 17.5 in. Wingspan 51.25 in.]

The Grey-faced Buzzard is a medium-sized hawk which breeds in southeastern Russia, North Korea, and most of Japan. It migrates south in large flocks to spend the winter in southeastern Asia and the southern islands of Japan. This Grey-faced Buzzard was photographed in winter as it hunted from a low perch in an overgrown field on the island of Okinawa in Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: February 1996)

[Length 38 in. Wingspan xx in.]

This Hooded Crane was photographed at the Arasaki Crane Observation Center, Izumi City, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 59 in. Wingspan 94.5 in.]

Japanese Cranes breed in Siberia and the island of Hokkaido in Japan. They are the national symbol of Japan and are treated as honored guests by the farmers whose fields they feed in. These were photographed at the Akan-Cho Crane Refuge near Kushiro on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.0 EDAF lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 59 in. Wingspan 94.5 in.]

This Japanese Crane is starting a courtship display which concludes with the bird leaping high into the air. It was photographed at the Akan-Cho Crane Refuge near Kushiro on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.0 EDAF lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)