Banding Albatross chicks

This afternoon I captured albatross chicks for Laura to band. It sounds pretty scientific but the job has it's drawbacks. Think of a 3 or 4 pound balloon filled with rancid fish oil that is ready to explode from either end when it's handled. Now picture this. The scientists swoops in and picks up the chick without bloodshed or bother only to have the balloon burst from one end or the other. A biological technician in a seabird colony has such a romantic life!