This bird was found on a barge in the Pacific. It is now residing in a rehabilitation center in Oregon, it suffered from dehydration. This female is nearly at the age of sexual maturity (six years). It is planned to be released, however, it is unknown whether or not it will successfully take flight. The release will take place off of the coast of Oregon.
What is unusual about this bird, is that it was born on Guadalupe Island off of the coast of Baja. Where there are only a few breeding pairs. More than 99% of Laysan breed on the Hawaiian Island of Laysan.
I am extremely happy to have been able to see this bird. It was my first sighting of a Laysan, and to be 12 feet away from it was something else. You really can't appreciate how large albatross are until they are right next to you. Unfortunately, since it is captive right now, I am not going to be counting it for my life list. Maybe when it is released I will count it, but that seems like cheating also. 
This bird is temporarily captive.
400mm|f5.6|ISO 400|1/30sec
