Spring is in the air! Everyone has been very busy this week -- It's the peak of reproductive season for many of the seabirds, while many other birds, the seals and turtles are just ramping up for their reproductive seasons.
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| The albatross are getting big! This three-month old black-footed albatross chick is ready for banding, with full feathers across its chest wings and back. The chicks will be ready to fledge in June. |
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| ʻUa'u kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters, or ʻwedgiesʻ) have nested in the inside of this fallen and rotten telephone pole. The wedgies are just starting to lay eggs now; their chicks wonʻt fledge until October or November. |
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| The NMFS seal crew checking for seals along the beach. Only one early pup has been born yet this year -- most will be born in late May or June. The seal under this bush stealthily avoids detection.... or is zonked out asleep. Photo by Mark Sullivan. |
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| Sooty terns have started laying eggs as well, although we expect many more. Sooties will nest in densities of 2-4 per square meter. Everyone learns to duck, as sooties are not afraid to poke you in the head (foot, ankle) when you approach their nest. |
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| Coral are reproducing this time of year as well -- Lindsey Kramer dragged us all out into the water at the crack of dawn to witness the Pocillopora (cauliflower coral) spawning event. As it turned out, it was a little too chilly yet for this coral -- so we'll try again next month. The early morning light provided spectacular lighting, and the fish colors were fantastic. Thanks for dragging us out, Lindsey! |
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| Who would know you could wear full fleece and tights to go snorkeling? The water was cold, so we dressed up. (You have to love Sarah's special snorkeling tights -- Quite the enviable fashion.) The Early Morning Tern Free Dive Team, from left to right: Dan Rapp, Lindsey Kramer, Paula Hartzell and Sarah Youngren. |
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Uncle M29 and this year’s early pup (K60) play in the water together. Social play is important for ʻilio o ke kai. Photo by Mark Sullivan. |
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| And last but not least, a gratuitous beautiful photograph of a mōlī (Laysan albatross), by Mark ("Sissy") Sullivan. |
wow. super delightful. that albatross is SO BEAUTIFUL. They really do look like their eye makeup is air brushed. I always wear leggings etc. when snorkeling, even in Hawaii. I get cold v. quickly, and that way I also do not get sun burned. =) Good luck with all that great work! =)
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog update - thanks! Uncle M29 and little pup sure look like playful. I think Uncle is saying, "hey you with the camera, the water is nice and warm." The tern's and albatross are wonderful birds.
Ever since checking your blog, I no longer take the sea birds at Pt Mugu for granted. They are wonderful critters and I enjoy seeing them at lunch time.
Thank you!