Ball's Pyramid is located about 23 kilometers SSE from Lord Howe Island, Australia. With a height of at least 552 meters, it is, apparently, the world's tallest sea stack, a remnant of a huge volcano. This place is teaming with fine seabirds. The attached pictures show it from the NE, as approached by boat coming from Lord Howe, and from the SW. The latter reveals that this sea stack has a much broader appearance from the SW.
Surrounding this most impressive rock by boat, one gets another very pointed appearance from the SE, and again a rather flattish one from the NE.
This rock is a breeding place for the rare Kermadec and Providence Petrels.
Access to the area by boat from Lord Howe depends on sea conditions. Landing is not allowed and would be extremely difficult anyway. But just surrounding it, is one of the most exciting birding experiences I've ever had.
Here are some pictures from Lord Howe Island, dating from October/November 2007. As one can see, the weather did not fully cooperate.
The first picture shows the Lagoon bordering the settlement, with the fringing barrier reef. In the background is Mt. Lidgbird hidden in the clouds. White Terns often fly over the Lagoon.
Then the Admiralty Islands to the NE, home of the Grey Ternlets.
Finally, the northern rocky drop-off from Malabar Hill (208 m elevation). Red-tailed Tropicbirds are supposed to be seen here. But we did not see any at this location.