Northern Royal Albatross – Toroa

Another amazing Albatross that spends about 85% of its time out at sea, traveling vast distances thanks to its mastery of the ocean winds and thermals.

They mate for life and live to a ripe old age: provided they don’t ingest or get caught in man-made hazards such as plastic waste, nylon fishing lines, and fishing hooks – all of which we have dumped into the ocean and landfill in far too vast quantities.

I read recently that the plastic situation is becoming dire.  Not only are there huge islands of plastic waste in our oceans, but plastic in quantity has now entered the food chain via microscopic particles formed by the degradation of dumped plastic trash.  These particles are not just to be found in ocean water – they are also in all our waterways, rivers and streams, in tap water and also probably in precipitation.

The really scary thing about plastics is that being derived from petroleum, they also carry the petroleum estrogenic signature.  Which means we are all being bombarded with additional estrogen – men, women and living creatures alike.  This if course is especially not good for males.

Say no more!

Thirteen varieties of albatross breed in the New Zealand region – more than anywhere else in the world.  Northern royal albatrosses are among the largest birds in the world, with a wingspan of 106–120 inches.  Frequently encountered by mariners in the sailing days – see The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Digital work – vector pen tool in Macromedia Fireworks MX.

For more details about the artwork and products, click on the images.

Patricia