A: Albatross

Even though I blogged about the Albatross a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't resist sharing him again!  You can read more about this intriguing bird in my previous post.  For 'A' photos from around the world, please visit ABC Wednesday.

Ka'ena Point: 2 of 7

Ka'ena Point is one of the protected nesting grounds for the Laysan Albatross, or Moli, as they are called in Hawaii.  I learned some interesting things about them when we hiked there:

- They can weigh as much as 25 pounds, with a wing span of up to 13 feet!  (Hard to imagine when I first saw them nesting, but easy to see once they took flight!)

- They live 40-60 years and often stay out to sea, never touching land,  for up to five YEARS before returning to the island they were hatched on.  Once they find a mate, they are mated for life, and return to the same island each year just long enough to hatch a single chick before taking to the open ocean air again.

- Their nickname "Goony Bird" originated because they are very awkward on land, and have a hard time taking off and landing.  Nonetheless, they are very graceful in the air.

- An albatross in flight can be so perfectly attuned to wind conditions that it may not flap its wings for hours, or even for days, as it can sleep while flying.

Pretty cool, huh?

T: Talking Bird?

Not on this day...he was more interested in preening his feathers than saying any words!  For more 'T' photos, please visit ABC Wednesday.

Red-Vented Bulbul

I had hoped to get a photo that showcased a little more of the RED on the Red-Vented Bulbul, but the best I could do was a few feathers sticking out!

White-Rumped Shama

Getting this guy on camera was tricky - this is the one and only photo I was able to take.  He was one of two White-Rumped Shamas that kept darting in and out of the shrubs in a corner of Foster Botanical Garden today.  These shamas can be identified by their orange underbelly - unfortunately you can just barely see a sliver of the orange feathers here!

Spotted Doves

We frequently see spotted doves in our yard, along with several other kinds of birds.  It's been fun teaching my daughter how to recognize all of them. 

Dinner

This Black-Crowned Night Heron actually flew right in front of me, swooped down into the canal and grabbed a fish from the water, but I couldn't get my camera out in time to capture him in action.  He landed on the bank of the canal and proceeded to swallow this rather large fish whole!

Auku'u

The Black-Crowned Night Heron is called an Auku'u in the Hawaiian language, and is found on all of the Hawaiian Islands.  Yesterday I posted a photo of the Hamakua Marsh, which is where I spotted this heron.  It's Skywatch Friday, and you can click HERE to see sky images from around the world.

Kainui Drive

Kainui Drive here in Kailua is nicknamed Duck Road - take a leisurely drive down it and you'll see why.  I liked the way this mother duck (who was surrounded by her brood of over 15 ducklings!) kept her eye on me the entire time.  She made sure I didn't get too close.

Mokulua Nui

This is one of the Mokuluas, also called the "twin islands" or "Mokes".  They are located about a mile off the shore of the windward coast.  Both islands are protected seabird sanctuaries; however you are allowed to land your kayak at the beach there during the day.  For more info on the Mokuluas, click HERE.

Good Catch

A heron clutches a thrashing minnow in its beak.

Ruffled Feathers

This is one of a handful of black swans that can be spotted in the small ponds surrounding the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe.  For some reason, I am drawn to photograph them every time I go there - I love the ripple of their feathers, the bright red beaks, and the way they glide silently across the water. 

E: Egret Eating a Lizard

[Image]I actually didn't realize that I captured this egret at the moment it grabbed up a lizard until I got home and saw the photo on my computer.  The lizards are everywhere, and somewhat of a nuisance (although they do eat the bugs), so it's good to have the birds around to take care of at least a few of them!  It's ABC Wednesday, so to see other 'E' photos click HERE.

Black Necked Stilt

These birds are endemic to Hawaii - I mostly see them at Nu'upia pond when I am driving on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base (which is where this one was).  The base is a protected habitat for thousands of birds - for a little more info about the species that nest there, click HERE.