Though rare along the windward coasts of the main Islands, this species was easy to observe along the north shore of Kaua段. White-tailed Tropicbirds were more common inland, though that seems counter-intuitive. That species actually nests on lush, mountainous slopes, while this one coastal cliff faces. The native name is KOA'E'ULA.
I never saw any nesting pairs of Red-tailed Tropicbirds. All my sightings were of Birds on the wing. Who痴 complaining? Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. ISO 200, Evaluative metering.
It looks like a shot you would expect from a pelagic trip, but I was firmly on the solid ground of the Lighthouse痴 bluff. Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. ISO 200, Evaluative metering.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. Manual Focus. ISO 200, Evaluative metering.
Look closely at this photo, taken on a cloudy day at the Refuge. Compare it to the last one on this page... Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. ISO 800, Evaluative metering.
Look at that streamer tail!! Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. ISO 200, Evaluative metering.
This is almost the same pose as in pic#4, just on a nicer day. Where did his feet go? Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kaua段, HI. USA. March-2004. Canon EOS-10D, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. ISO 400, Evaluative metering.