KP REFUGE - BIRDS, KIDS

KILAUEA POINT – REFUGE

ELEMENTRY SCHOOL ALBATROSS PROGRAM

             In April, I worked with 8 year old Kauai students who are learning about the Albatross.  They have had lessons on their biology and behavior since the fall term began and in the spring they get to do this field trip to see them for themselves.  Education fosters caring and that leads to conservation.  And they are 8 years old, so learning to use binoculars backwards is one of the highlights of the day!

 Here they come! 

 Albatross Hill is across the way.  8 year olds learning to use binocs, pretty cool.

 What they see: several juvenile albatrosses making their moves, dancing, calling

 They also get to see them in the air

And on hand to greet them, two nene who live here

LIGHTHOUSE DAY

             As the first Saturday of May is Lighthouse Day every year, this year we celebrated the 101^st anniversary.  (see post May 2013 for centennial)  The lighthouse is pretty cool in its own right but the location is breathtaking.  Many festive attractions are sponsored for folks including free admission to the refuge and lighthouse tours.  I gave morning tours and the last one was at 5:30pm.

 Lighthouse tours are always popular

 The setting isn't bad either - Crater Hill looms behind

Makana (Bali Hai) at far right

Secrets Beach at left

 Red Footed Boobies overhead here

Frigattes were very active as well

 The cove below Crater Hill, calm waters today

 Local artist Patrick Ching teaching how to draw a monk seal

Step right up for a Lighthouse tattoo

 The Waipa Singers setting up

What a treat to hear Jennifer Waipa sing between duties of being head ranger

Male red-footed booby in his full breeding colors

He is gathering nesting material for his mate's approval

          

 Only on Lighthouse Day is the refuge open past 4pm. 

Of course, we are there for the ceremonial lighting of the (tiny) light bulb in the lighthouse itself.   

Double bulls eye on lens

Part of my morning tour explains the signature double blip of the Kilauea Point Lighthouse. 

What I really love about Lighthouse Day though is that dusk is magical up there.  

 WEDGETAIL SHEARWATERS

            While we often see the little Wedgetail Shearwaters (WTSH) nesting on land, at dusk we get to see the ones return that have been out feeding all day. 

 Wedgetail Shearwater  - in the tubenose family of seabirds that nest on Kauai

This one is in a man-made tube that won't collapse

 Wedgies moan

This one is moaning to his mate in the tunnel they built 

His throat is distended here as he makes the sounds

 Cliffside tunnels that provide shearwater condos

 Mixture of Frigates and Shearwaters as the light ebbs toward dusk

 At least 200 shearwaters "rafting" on the ocean before returning to their nests

 Circling before landing

I caught this one landing, before he/she disappeared into the naupaka

Happy landing,  Happy ending

Two shearwaters mating

             The shearwaters and all the endemic petrels are erratic, quick fliers.  Their body weight is only eight-tenths of a pound (.8 lb) with a wingspan about as long as the heavier tropic birds, boobies and nene.  Fun to watch, they are extremely frustrating to photograph.  While my equipment is small potatoes, photographers all along the perimeter were exasperated even with their large lenses and tripods.  Here are a few out-takes and the coup de gras was getting hit in the head by a shearwater that didn’t expect a 5’5” obstacle in its path!  For less than a pound, it was quite a wallop and I followed it until I was sure both of his/her wings were OK. 

OUT TAKES

 Quick!

 This isn't the one that hit me in the head, but could have

I didn't see it coming!

Two more thinking about landing

Time to go home, Aloha