On 20 April 1978 at 0900, a subadult Short-tailed Albatross (Diomedea albatrus) was observed and photographed (Figure 1) from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories' R/V Oconostota, approximately 80 km WNW of Monterey Bay, California (36°14.9’ N, 123°01.8’ W). The bird circled the stern of the boat a few times, once within 20 meters, and then departed.
Identification was based upon the characteristically large pink bill, blackish-brown hind neck, mottled belly (white to pale brown), and black tail feathers with a white base. The rest of the body was dark brown, but not as dark as a Black-footed Albatross (D. nigripes).