The above Short-tailed Albatross (center bird) was seen off the north coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands on October 22, 1996. The photograph was taken with a disposable camera by Russell Cameron, a commercial fisherman, while his vessel was longlining halibut. Even though the photo is grainy the bird is still identifiable as a subadult Short-tailed Albatross (pink bill, white band on upper wing and white body and face with a dark nape). Historically Short-tailed Albatross numbered in the millions and were common in the North Pacific but the feather trade brought the species to near extinction before they were internationally protected in 1960. Presently they number somewhere under 1,000 birds and nest mainly on Torishima Island, Japan. They are the largest of the three possible albatross and are distinguishable by their huge pink bill in both the adult and juvenile phase. The adult’s head has a yellowish wash, the back is entirely white and the outer wings are dark brown. The juveniles are completely brown/gray when they fledge but the color pattern is replaced by white as the bird matures. This is the second record and first photograph for waters off British Columbia. The first bird was seen off Ucluelet on Vancouver Island last spring by Capt John Anderson of the M/V J.P.Tully.