Albatrosses

Just down the road from us are baby albatrosses getting ready to fly. They are fiercely protected by the people whose yards they inhabit.

The single baby of each couple (who are together for life) is born in February. The parents take turns going off for food to feed the young chick, often traveling as far as 5,000 miles each way to the Arctic Circle.

By this time of the year the baby birds are almost fully grown. The baby above was named Andy by the family in whose yard he is living. While we were looking at him, his mother returned to feed him. She preened his feathers and clicked her beak, reminding me of a parent giving a teenager marching orders. Andy spread his wings, which will eventually measure 6 or 7 feet.

Our morning with a local naturalist introduced us to most of the birds of the north shore of Kauai. We learned a lot about the history of the island. He extolled the virtues of the people of Kauai who treat their fellow man with kindness.



Secret Beach as seen from the Kilauea lighthouse

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Location:Kauai