Photo: Flying Gannet Muriwai Beach New Zealand

The clear markings on an Australasian Gannet is easy to see in this picture after leaving the rock and flying above Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand.

Adult Australasian Gannets relax on the rock cliff at Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand, while one adult decides flying is best at this time. As this gannet leaves the colony, the rest of the birds sit quietly and watch while tending to their young.Whether this gannet has spotted a good meal and is ready to take action and dive into the rough ocean waters is yet to be seen, but the wing span and markings are beautiful as he takes flight. Protecting their young is a gannet's first priority but both the female and male must keep up their strength and take turns flying and diving for meals.Flying Gannet, Morus serrator, at a Gannet Colony at Muriwai Beach, Muriwai, near Auckland, Waitakere, West Coast, North Island, New Zealand.

This picture is part of the photo album "Ocean Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.