Thursday, October 27, 2011

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: OCTOBER 26, 2011 PANOCHE VALLEY

Howdy, Birders,

Howdy, Birders,
Shortening days, crispy mornings and the arrival of 174 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS in Panoche Valley indicates to me that we are on the downside cusp of fall with winter approaching. It was a fabulously beautiful day in the valley. Panoche Valley is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) by National Audubon Society of Global significance. It is a spectacular grasslands, visited by over 500 birders during the winter months. Because I live locally and am a keen birder of San Benito County, I visit this area much more frequently.
In addition to the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, I found many of the icon species of this area, including: 2 PRAIRIE FALCONS, one on Panoche Road, just entering the valley, and one on the valley floor; 1 MERLIN at Shotgun Pass; 1 NORTHERN HARRIER at Shotgun Pass; 6 VESPER SPARROWS, most on Panoche Road near Silver Creek Ranch area; 15 SAGE SPRROWS, most in Panoche Hills area, but one surprise at Jackass Pass; 3 ROADRUNNERS, one in Panoche Hills, one in Tumey Hills, one near Silver Creek Ranch; 16 CHUKARS, 11 at Shotgun Pass and 5 in Panoche Hills; 2 BURROWING OWLS at Shotgun Pass; and one CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR female on the valley floor. From Highway 25 south of Hollister, turn east on Panoche Road. This road winds around blue oak and grassland savannah with some steep hills where the road narrows to one lane. Stopping well off the road in these areas will usually yield Rufous-crowned Sparrows. I did not stop, but continued out to the valley. A brief pause at the pond along the roadside at Panoche Pass Summit was made. A male PHAINOPEPLA flew over.
Above, is a shack along the road where large flocks of sparrows are usually encountered, including White-crowned and Golden-crowned and Lark Sparrows.
That's him, above, the first of fall/winter MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD that I saw! I was quite surprised. He was on Little Panoche Road, as I was heading for Shotgun Pass. The valley floor is well stocked with good sized flocks of SAVANNAH SPARROWS and HORNED LARKS. I found a CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR in these grasslands which was not only a San Benito County Big Year tick for me, but a county tick, as well!
A female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD which I found just on the other side of Shotgun Pass. On the west side of the pass, I noticed a very quick ROADRUNNER ducking out of sight behind a large ephedra shrub. A NORTHERN HARRIER, rare on the Christmas Bird Count for this area, was hunting along the pass hillsides.
Along the rocks, inside of the pass, this ROCK WREN, above, was quite active. I like to bird public areas during the weekdays to avoid traffic and crowds. If you decide to stop in the pass, be sure to pay attention for oncoming vehicles!
Soon, I heard a lot of "chucking" noise, and noticed a group of CHUKARS scrambling along the steep, rocky hillsides of the pass. This is one of the best places to find Chukars.
Two BURROWING OWLS were on the east side of Shotgun Pass near the corral where there is a good pullout. Just a little way down the road, you'll notice the FRESNO COUNTY line sign. Being a poor county, there is no sign for San Benito County. Birders beware— when entering eBird data, you have just entered a new county.
The view, above, leaving Shotgun Pass. Most birders continue from Shotgun Pass to Mercy Hot Springs and/or to Panoche Hills BLM area. I did not go to Mercy Hot Springs, but I did spend an hour or more at Panoche Hills BLM area. NOTE: It is Chukar hunting season. Weekends are going to be packed with hunters and target practicing folks. I only encountered two very nice fellows who came out on the weekday to avoid the noisy gunfire, just like me. I showed them where I was going on the BLM map. Somehow, they avoided the area where I was completely. I never heard them. It is important to keep in mind that this BLM area is closed for part of the year. This is a good time to visit the area. Keep an eye out for Sage Thrasher.
This area has been "improved" by our government. There is now a pit toilet at the entrance to the BLM area and a portion of the lead road, P1, into the area is now very firm with a gravel top. However, as soon as it rains, most of the roads into the area will be impassible except by 4WD, and maybe not ever with it! Take great care here, or get up there before it rains. The first portion of the road leading up to BLM is private property. Almost all of this area is in FRESNO COUNTY, not SAN BENITO COUNTY. It is possible to get to San Benito County, though. I found SAGE SPARROWS to be very showy on this day! Sometimes, they can be difficult to find. However, many individuals were out on the dirt road. If you see a sparrow on the road, and it runs with its' tail flipping and cocked, it is probably a Sage Sparrow! It reminds me of a mini-roadrunner. One flock of six was along the road! Notice, in the above image, how well it blends in with the local backdrop!
The SAGE SPARROW of Panoche Hills is the interior race, Amphispiza nevadensis canescens. This species is just about at its' northern limit, here.
This image, above, shows the pale, streaked, buffy flanks. This individual was feeding right along the road cut. To feed, it repeatedly jumped up on the shrubs, presumably to get seeds, as in the image below.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were present along most of the valley roads. I was recently reminded by a friend that I've seen Loggerhead Shrikes in some stage of nesting from mid-February though mid-October! That is quite a season of shrikes!
This VESPER SPARROW, below, was on Panoche Road near the Silver Creek Ranch area. It was one of four VESPER SPARROWS in this area. If one follows Panoche Road, it turns to dirt just a bit beyond the intersection with New Idria Road. It is this stretch of Panoche Road where Mountain Plovers have been found in recent years. I looked and found none — yet. However, this stretch of road was some of the best birding in the valley. I followed it all the way to Jackass Pass where the FRESNO and SAN BENITO COUNTY lines meet. Flocks of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were along this road.
This ROCK WREN, below was maddeningly defending its' small pile of rocks along the side of the road from another Rock Wren. Although sparrow flocks were good along the road, they have never been as numerous since the county began ridding the edges of the roads of vegetation that the sparrows depend upon. This is a pity.
Flocks of more than twenty MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were along this section. Look for mixed flocks of bluebirds with HOUSE FINCHES. The two species are flocking up together.
Crossing Panoche Creek, one travels up to Jackass Pass. This creek runs all year and can be a magnet for migrants. Indeed, a NORTHERN FLICKER flew overhead. This stretch of road is a good place to look for Sage Thrasher and Lark Bunting. Earlier in the fall, I found a winter male Lark Bunting here, but have been unsuccessful in relocating it.
Topping Jackass Pass, I made a brief tour near the Tumey Hills BLM area, FRESNO COUNTY. The distinct silhouette of a ROADRUNNER is outlined, above.
Finally, I headed back to the intersection with New Idria Road, passing the Griswold Hills BLM area. This is a great place to see Rock and Canyon Wrens. I found more MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and a few YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES along the road. Many AMERICAN KESTRELS and one PRAIRIE FALCON were hunting in the area. Near this sign there is also a new pit toilet and a picnic table where I had my dinner.
Panoche Valley is under threat, not only from the FERAL WILD PIGS, above, but also from development of a solar industry which would cover most of the valley floor, forever changing the character and nature of this unique and special portion of California. You can help by learning more about this through SAVE PANOCHE VALLEY and the SANTA CLARA AUDUBON SOCIETY. If you are one of the more than 500 birders I counted visiting this awesome valley during the winter of 2011, I urge you to educate yourself on these issues. We need your help!

Other mammals for the day included: Coyote, Skunk, Raccoon, Giant Kangaroo Rat. on the drive home, I saw 2 Burrowing Owls, 7 Barn Owls and 2 Great-horned Owls.

All images by Debi Shearwater, copyright. Please do not use without permission.

Happy Trails,
Debi Shearwater
AKA "Annie Auklet" as played by Angelica Huston in the movie, "The Big Year" playing at a theater near you NOW!

Friday, October 21, 2011

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: OCTOBER 21, 2011 VARIOUS

Howdy, Birders,

This is a brief report of various birds in San Benito County, today, October 21, 2011.

PAICINES RESERVOIR still has good mudflats for shorebirds, although there is never a large number: DUNLIN (1), WESTERN SANDPIPER (1), LEAST SANDPIPER (7); various species of waterfowl have been passing through (COMMON MERGANSERS, etc.), but today RUDDY DUCK (8) and WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (8) were present; AMERICAN PIPIT (8) were at the water's edge; VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS (8) made a brief pass; and an immature BALD EAGLE was in the oaks at the northwest corner. I've seen ADULT BALD EAGLES and PRAIRIE FALCON at the reservoir, lately. The Hollister Sewer Ponds are fairly hopeless at the moment.

LOWER QUIEN SABE ROAD (I define this area as the part of Quien Sabe Road between Highway 25 and the intersection of Santa Ana Valley Road): one PRAIRIE FALCON was present. It usually can be found sitting on a telephone pole. This individual will likely hang in this area for at least several weeks. It was pushed away from its' previously special place on Santa Ana Valley Road by a Ferruginous Hawk.

SANTA ANA VALLEY ROAD: A FERRUGINOUS HAWK has taken up its' winter residence not far from the intersection with Quien Sabe Road, near mile marke 7 (I think). See above. Continuing on Santa Ana Valley Road, you will find the favored hunting grounds of the raptors near the intersection with John Smith Road. Here, I found a second FERRUGINOUS HAWK and an immature GOLDEN EAGLE. On recent past drives, I have seen many raptors on along this stretch of the road. Finally, at mailbox #4451, I found a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, below, which I photographed.
Happy Trails,
Debi Shearwater, inland Annie Auklet
San Benito County Birding

Thursday, October 20, 2011

IMAGES OF THE DAY by TODD MCGRATH: OCTOBER 14, 2011 BODEGA BAY

Howdy, Birders,

Below, you will find a few of Todd McGrath's images taken on Shearwater Journeys' October 14, 2011 pelagic trip at Bodega Bay. The full trip report, including species list can be found here. All images copyright, Todd McGrath. Please do not use without permission. Enjoy!
Above, one of three WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, found mixed with the flocks of FORK-TAILED, ASHY and BLACK STORM-PETRELS.
Unfortunate passerines often show up offshore, especially on pelagic trips. This PALM WARBLER, above, was flying toward the stern of the boat. Immediately, I stopped the boat, and shouted for folks to stand still, hoping that the warbler would land on the vessel. Just as it tried to do this, the boat lurched in the swell. The warbler hit the boat, falling into the water. probably still alive at this point.
It was immediately snatched up by a gull who subsequently consumed the warbler.
BULLER'S SHEARWATER
SOUTH POLAR SKUA
This SOUTH POLAR SKUA chased a flock of BULLER'S SHEARWATERS off the water!
The BULLER'S SHEARWATER flight is like a ballet.
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS
NORTHERN FULMAR
HUMPBACK WHALE TAIL FLUKES
It was a fabulous day!
Shearwaters & Auklets Forever,
Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: OCTOBER 14, 2011 BODEGA BAY


Howdy, Birders,
It was a beautiful day at sea on Shearwater Journeys' October 14, 2011 pelagic trip at Bodega Bay. Great sea conditions and thousands of ocean birds, along with a fabulous group of folks on board made it all the more memorable. We traveled some 32 miles offshore to the 1200 fathom line. Red tide, or as one person described it, "root beer-colored tide," was found in patches, even offshore. Precious few seabirds were observed in those areas. Outside of the red tide, though, thousands of storm-petrels were rafted up in flocks, sitting on the water. We love that! Highlights of the day included over 100 NORTHERN FULMARS, 1 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, 260 BULLER'S SHEARWATERS, 3 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, 1875 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, 1500 ASHY STORM-PETRLS and 15 BLACK STORM-PETRELS, 11 SOUTH POLAR SKUAS, 2 SABINE'S GULLS and 1 PALM WARBLER which was about 30 miles offshore in Marin County. Most of the day, however, was spent in Sonoma County.
All images, below by Debi Shearwater, copyright. Please do not use without permission. Enjoy more images by Todd McGrath of this day, here.
As we move toward the winter months, we anticipate higher counts of NORTHERN FULMARS, above. Groups of fulmars were sitting on the water at the stern of the vessel, often vying with each other for the best spot, making their gutteral calls. Fun to hear!
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS numbers should also increase over the coming months. These albatrosses mixed it up with the fulmars at the stern, also giving their high-pitched calls. Recently, fishermen at Bodega Bay have sighted a SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. Fingers crossed, we may find this ocean wanderer on our October 29th trip!Although the masses of storm-petrels put on quite a display, the SOUTH POLAR SKUAS stole the show! These kleptoparasites of the seas kept us very entertained by continuously flying and circling overhead.Sometimes, skuas are the pursuers, as when they flushed a flock of more than 200 BULLER'S SHEARWATERS, sitting on the water, and sometimes the skuas themselves are pursued, as is the case, below!Each time a new skua would fly toward the vessel, the leaders would loudly shout out, "SKUAAAA!" After a couple of bouts of this, I mentioned to the friendly folks on board that this presents an opportunity to shout one's lungs out! Soon, we had most of the folks on board, yelling at the top of their lungs, "SKUAAA" in unison! Maybe it was the end of the season silliness and relief, but it sure was fun! As one friend recently remarked to me, regarding Angelica Huston, playing me in the movie, "The Big Year"— "You are a lot more entertaining!"
Apparently, all (?) of the South Polar Skuas at this time of year are sub-adults, as the adults are, well, near the South Pole, beginning their nesting season! These sub-adult skuas seem far more interested in checking out the vessel than adults do, earlier in the season, at least in my opinion.
Above is Chris Taylor's image of a SOUTH POLAR SKUA in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, on the Shearwater Journeys' charter voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Chris has a gorgeous photo gallery!
Well, those fulmars had a buddy hanging around with them that we did not see on this day— a WHITE-CHINNED PETREL which was found by Todd McGrath two day's later at Cordell Bank on October 16th. We'll be looking that buddy on October 29th!

Many thanks to all of the fun birders who joined us on this day. The leaders were: Lisa Hug, Jennifer Green, Todd McGrath, Steve Howell, Wes Fritz and Debi Shearwater.

We are operating an "emergency" pelagic trip, departing from Bodega Bay on Saturday, October 29th to search for mega-rare seabirds, including the White-chinned Petrel and Short-tailed Albatross. Spaces are still available. For details, click here.

The complete species list for October 14, 2011
BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK follows:

RED-THROATED LOON- 1
PACIFIC LOON- 10
COMMON LOON- 9
RED-NECKED GREBE- 3
EARED GREBE- 2
WESTERN GREBE- 3
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 14
NORTHERN FULMAR- 107
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 51
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 260
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 31
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 3
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 1875
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 1500
BLACK STORM-PETREL- 15
BROWN PELICAN- +
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 6
SURF SCOTER- 24
GREATER SCAUP- 13
BRANT GOOSE- 8
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 1
BLACK TURNSTONE- 2
SURFBIRD- 1
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 17
RED-NECKED/RED PHALAROPE- 30
RED PHALAROPE- 12
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 8 to 11
POMARINE JAEGER- 7
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1
JAEGER SP.- 3
HEERMANN'S GULL- 1, offshore
MEW GULL- 1, adult
CALIFORNIA GULL- +
HERRING GULL- 2
GLAUCOUS-WINGED/HERRING GULL- 1
WESTERN GULL- +
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 3
WESTERN/GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 3
SABINE'S GULL- 2
ELEGANT TERN- 4
COMMON MURRE- 68
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 2
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 94
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 29
PALM WARBLER- 1, about 30 miles offshore, Marin County, consumed by a gull
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 120
HUMPBACK WHALE- 25
DALL'S PORPOISE- 12
OCEAN SUNFISH- 1
EGG YOLK JELLIES- +

Shearwaters & Auklets Forever,
Debi Shearwater
AKA: "Annie Auklet" as played by Angelica Huston in the movie, "The Big Year" playing at the theater near you now!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

PROCELLARIA PETRELS: "IT'S NOT IN MY FIELD GUIDE!"

WHOOAA, BIRDERS,

What the heck are these "procellaria petrels?" They are not in my North American bird field guides! Procellaria petrels are generally considered intermediate between the Calonectris shearwaters (Cory's and Streaked) and Pterodroma petrels (Cook's and Great-winged as examples), having features of both groups.

Recent reports of WHITE-CHINNED PETRELS (Procellaria aequinoctialis) off the coast of California have exploded in the news. Below, is Todd McGrath's image of the October 16, 2011 White-chinned Petrel taking flight near the Cordell Bank on a pelagic trip at Bodega Bay. Image copyright, Todd McGrath. Please do not use without permission.
Nope, these seabirds can not be found in the two most frequently used North American field guides: The Sibley Guide to Birds and National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Most of the records for these seabird are relatively new to North America. Field guides will catch up, one day. Meanwhile, the serious seabirder will need to consult a more specialized tome for more detailed information. At the moment, I'd recommend Albatrosses, Petrels & Shearwaters Of The World by Onley & Scofield. While this book has serious faults, especially with regard to west coast seabird records, it does provide the basic information for range, field identification and some natural history of these seabirds.

Procellaria petrels comprise five species that are generally dark in coloration. Only the Grey Petrel has white underparts. The others, White-chinned, Parkinson's, Spectacled and Westland are overall dark. Sometimes, these seabirds are mistaken for Flesh-footed Shearwater, which is also a dark seabird, especially at a distance. The White-chinned Petrel is circumpolar throughout the Southern Ocean. White-chinned Petrels are the largest all-dark petrel. It breeds on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, among other islands. It was known as the "shoemaker" at South Georgia by whalers because of the sounds it makes, much like a sewing machine. On a recent trip to South Georgia, I was able to hear these sounds! White-chinned petrels are known to be gregarious and follow fishing boats. Their diet includes krill, squid and fish. It is classified as a Vulnerable species by BirdLife International because of suspected rapid declines. Very high rates of incidental mortality in longline fisheries are suspected in recent years. This petrel has been tracked and data can be viewed at The Global Procellariiform Tracking Database.

Your own research will undoubtedly turn up additional information on these fascinating seabirds. Definitely worth learning about!

Hope to see you out there!
Shearwaters & Auklets & Procellaria Petrels Forever,
Debi Shearwater

"EMERGENCY" PELAGIC TRIP: OCTOBER 29, 2011 BODEGA BAY WHITE-CHINNED PETREL

Howdy Birders,
For the second time in just a few months, Todd McGrath found a WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis) on October 16, 2011 near the Cordell Bank on a pelagic trip from Bodega Bay. This petrel was sitting on the water, as below, with a flock of NORTHERN FULMARS. Images copyright, Todd McGrath. Please do not use without permission.
This individual petrel is not the same bird as the WHITE-CHINNED PETREL that Todd found on the September 6, 2011 southern California pelagic trip aboard the Searcher. Given these two White-chinned Petrel records, and the two sightings of GREAT-WINGED PETREL (found by Abe Borker August 26, 2011 at Monterey Bay and September 17, at Half Moon Bay, both Shearwater Journeys' trips), and reports of SHORT-TAILED ALABTROSS, I've determined that an "emergency" pelagic trip at Bodega Bay is in order. In addition, other seabirds were abundant at Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank on October 14, 15 and 16. Late October and November are really great times to get out on the ocean. Most of the southern hemisphere breeders have departed, making the unusual or rare seabirds stand out more readily. For instance, every one of Shearwater Journeys' October pelagic trips, from every port, found at least one FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER. Our Half Moon Bay trip on October 16th found four Flesh-footed Shearwaters and a LAYSAN ALBATROSS.

You will need a reservation for the "Emergency" pelagic trip. The trip is guaranteed to run no matter how many people sign up. If the trip sells out, I will post a notice on this blog and on the list serves. The trip will only be canceled if the weather/seas do not allow us to proceed. I will try to call you on your cell phone, if that happens.

EMERGENCY PELAGIC TRIP INFO:
DATE: SAT, OCT 29
PLACE OF DEPARTURE: PORT O'BODEGA, BODEGA BAY
MEETING TIME: 6:30 AM, SHARP
PARKING: FREE
RETURN TIME: APPROX. 5 PM, DO NOT BOOK AN EVENING FLIGHT
BOAT FEE: $230 PER PERSON
RESERVATIONS: Email your name, home address, cell phone to debi@shearwaterjourneys.com and put your check in the mail immediately. After October 25th, do not send checks. You will need to pay at the dock, cash only, if space is still available. You will need to have a reply from Debi for a firm reservation.
PREPARATION: Dress very warmly with waterproof outer layer, if possible. You must wear CLOSE-TOED SHOES. Bring gloves, hats. Bring all food & drink for the day. Take a seasick pill. As with all Shearwater Journeys trip, this is a non-smoking trip. Check in with Debi prior to boarding the boat.
BODEGA BAY MOTELS: Bodega Harbor Inn is usually the least expensive, but not my personal favorite. Inn at the Tides is very nice and seems like it might have a special rate going on at the moment. There's a few others, but not many. Motel rates can be cheaper on Highway 101 in Petaluma. However, if you elect to stay along Highway 101, be sure to allow yourself at least an hour to drive to the boat because you can get lost, get slowed down by dense fog or a small truck pulling a trailer with a boat. For the person who has never been to Bodega Bay before, this option is not the best idea. If you miss the boat, and I will leave on time, you will not receive any refund or credit.
RESTAURANTS: No restaurants are open early enough in the morning for the boat trip. None of the motels serves breakfast early enough, either. Be sure to plan for your breakfast. Some motel rooms have refrigerators and/or microwaves. The Pelican Plaza Deli and gourmet grocery store can make you a good sandwich for the boat trip, but you'll need to arrive before they close on Friday night. My favorite restaurant for dinner is the Sandpiper.

Keep in mind that Shearwater Journeys' two November trips have spaces available: November 22 departing from Half Moon Bay and November 27 departing from Monterey Bay.

Shearwaters & Auklets & Procellaria Petrels Forever,
Debi Shearwater
AKA: Annie Auklet as played by Angelica Huston in the 20th Century Fox movie, "The Big Year" now playing at theater near you!



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

IMAGES of the DAY by TODD MCGRATH: OCTOBER 8, 2011 MONTEREY BAY



Howdy, Birders,

Leader, Todd McGrath's images of the Shearwater Journeys' October 8, 2011 Monterey Bay trip are below. He has not yet worked through the many images of the Killer Whales. I'll post these, later. All images copyright, Todd McGrath. Please do not use without permission. Enjoy!

Leaving the harbor, we could tell it would be a beautiful day!
Just outside of the harbor, we spotted two PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, calling back and forth to each other. The lighting was beautiful.
The majority of Pigeon Guillemots depart during winter. It was only recently discovered that they spend the winter at the Queen Charlotte Islands.
The piercing scream of a SEA OTTER pup calling for its' mother attracted our attention.
The mother appeared at the surface with a crab. Nearly all of our Monterey Bay trips observe Sea Otters.
Cannery Row, above, does not bear any resemblance to what it once was— home of the largest sardine cannery in the world— until the sardines disappeared. Sardines are making a comeback and there is now a fishery for them, once again.
The beautiful BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, above.
Prize seabird of the day: LAYSAN ALBATROSS, above.
SOOTY SHEARWATER, above.
BULLER'S SHEARWATER, above and below. We saw good numbers of these.
This LAYSAN ALBATROSS hung around for quite some time. Photographers had a field day! And, it was a Life Bird for more than a few folks on board!
Shearwaters & Auklets Forever,
Debi Shearwater
AKA: "Annie Auklet" as played by Angelica Huston in the movie, "The Big Year" opening on October 14th at a theater near you!