Yesterday was a day full of happiness. One of the main reasons is that Al - or Alice, we don't really know - returned to the waters off of the Point Arena Pier for its 19 season. The Laysan Albatross arrived around 1 pm yesterday, Dec. 5th, and the news quickly spread. Al was late arriving this year so we were worried. But our worries were in vain, as this unique bird with a fondness for surfers has blessed us once again with its presence.
Mel Smith took this photograph of Al and I thank him for allowing me to share it with you here.
As if Al's arrival wasn't enough, we had a beautiful green flash last night. And a pod of Gray Whales was seen off Gualala yesterday headed south. Lots of exciting sightings here on the Mendonoma Coast!
3 comments:
We're so glad to see Al has returned safely once again this year.....I wish he/she would bring a mate!
My birder experts tell me Al is taking his, or her, winter break from possibly breeding and raising chicks. No mate allowed on Al's yearly vacation!
I thought they normally bred in the Winter. On Midway Island, eggs are laid mid-Nov to mid-Dec. Eggs hatch mid-Nov to mid-Dec and chicks fledge mide-July.
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