French Polynesia -  Tuamotus and Marquesas Islands - Page 3

Black Noddies at Fakarava in the Tuamotus on 21 November 2010

 

On 20 November we started our cruise on the Aranui 3 to the Marquesas Islands. I thank the Aranui expedition leaders and Vai Here for information about natural history.

Our first stop was Fakarava, an atoll in the Tuamotus, 494 km from Tahiti. The Marquesas Islands are about 1430 km from Tahiti.

 

Disembarking from the barge at Fakarava in the Tuamotus on 21 November 2010

 

Black Noddy has a longer more slender bill and darker plumage than Brown Noddy. Fakarava on 21 November 2010.

 

Black Noddy has a grey tail, whereas Brown Noddy has a brown tail. Black Noddies were common at sea and throughout the Marquesas Islands where they nest in trees in villages.

 

Blue-gray Noddies were common in the channel where the current brings ocean water into the inner lagoon at Rangiroa in the Tuamotus on 2 December 2010.

 

Snorkeling and diving were outstanding at Rangiroa in the Tuamotus,

 

Light morph Pacific Reef-Heron at Fakarava in the Tuamotus on 21 November 2010

 

Dark morph Pacific Reef-Heron at Tahuata in the Marquesas Islands on 28 November 2010

 

Aranui docked at Ou Pou to unload supplies for the residents while we hiked and explored the island. 23 November 2010.

 

Endemic Marquesas Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus mendanae dido is the subspecies on Oa Pou. 23 November 2010.

 

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