Take a "Virtual Visit" to Midway

Who wouldn't want to visit Midway Atoll NWR, the site of the world's largest Laysan Albatross nesting colony?!  At the moment, there are no eco-tourism opportunities on the Atoll, but there is a way to visit the Refuge virtually --> "like" Friends of Midway Atoll NWR Facebook Page.  Lots of pictures and updates!

Albatross is TWO STORIES tall!

You don't believe me?  Well take a look at this --

During his visit to Midway Atoll NWR, Wyland painted a mural on Charlie Barracks (near L7 on the map.). The video clip above is a time lapse taken during the painting project.  Can you see the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle hovering over some limu, or seaweed, as well as a graceful Hawaiian Monk Seal?  And there they are, a pair of huge dancing Laysan Albatross.  If they were real, I wonder how loud their song would be ?!
(photos: Wyland Earle Midway Atoll 2011)

Goofy Gooney "Hair Cuts" -- Hana Hou!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the FOAM post from June 21 entitled "Goofy Gooney 'Hair Cuts'," so I decided to do an encore (hana hou, in Hawaiian) for more fun!    Can you pick out which gooney is soaked from the rain?!  Down feathers get really soggy when wet!

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Goofy Gooney "Hair Cuts"

Albatross are sometimes called Goonies, or Gooney Birds.  What a silly-sounding name!  Perhaps they have that funny name because they sometimes make a funny landing, or perhaps it's because their faces look funny.

At this time of year, when the albatross are losing their down and getting their regular feathers, they really look funny.  It looks as if they have silly hair cuts.  Which one do you think is the funniest?!  (If you like these pictures, definitely visit the FOAM post entitled "Goofy Gooney Hair Cuts -- Hana Hou!")