When i was on the SS Uganda sailing to the Falklands in 1982 we were at sea for 2 weeks and on the journey we encountered a wind gust of Gayle force 8, the Horizon would go from view then appear, waves would batter the flat bottomed ship and rock like George McCrae. Sea sickness was bad and i often would go up on deck to get he fresh salt water spray on my pale sick face. 2 weeks at sea was not the best experience i had whilst serving in the army but one thing kept me goung.

There was a bird a large bird with huge wings following the ship about 100 feet away from the rear of the vessel. It never flapped its wings and was like a model being pulled some how by the ship. when I first observed it i knew what it was just by looking at the wingspan. A bird that lives for nearly a half of a century.

Its wingspan is 3.3 metres over 10feet from wing tip to tip. and its a estimated they will spend at least 6 years without landing, covering vast amounts of distance over the ocean.

It was a wonderful sight everyday climbing the ships stairs to see it the again day after day for 2 weeks. i forgot about adding it my list of birds i have photographed.