Frigate Ahoy!

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0701/How-can-frigatebirds-stay-aloft-for-months-at-a-time

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0701/How-can-frigatebirds-stay-aloft-for-months-at-a-time

Cool article. My favorite bird since I was a young teen working on the Buck Island Ferry in St. Croix, USVI.

My old "office" was the reef and protected mooring area just out of sight around the point at the far end of this small island known as Buck Island National Park. It was a rough job for a young teen, but somebody had to do it.

Yes, they're fabulous, can watch them all day; of course I am somewhat biased in favour of the...wait for it...PELICANO!

Seriously though, some years back I watched in horror on La Madera early one morning when a frigate bird grabbed a baited line as the pescadero was casting. He hauled the bird in and gently unhooked it, and tossed it back into the air.

Okay, I'm being snarky - but I have to point out that Buck Island (St. Croix) is not a National Park, it is a National Monument created by President Kennedy in 1961. I know the difference doesn't matter much, except that Congress does little to support our National Park system while Presidents continue to add to our system of National Monuments. It is widely expected that President Obama will add at least one more to the system later this year. And that will be a good thing.

Okay, I'm being snarky - but I have to point out that Buck Island (St. Croix) is not a National Park, it is a National Monument created by President Kennedy in 1961. I know the difference doesn't matter much, except that Congress does little to support our National Park system while Presidents continue to add to our system of National Monuments. It is widely expected that President Obama will add at least one more to the system later this year. And that will be a good thing.

Yeah, that's more than just a little snarky. Crucians have always called it a park. When I worked there we called it a park. It is managed by the National Park Service. The folks in charge are Park Rangers.

Frigate! Can't we all just get along???

Yes, they're fabulous, can watch them all day; of course I am somewhat biased in favour of the...wait for it...PELICANO!

Seriously though, some years back I watched in horror on La Madera early one morning when a frigate bird grabbed a baited line as the pescadero was casting. He hauled the bird in and gently unhooked it, and tossed it back into the air.

Walking on Playa La Ropa a few years ago, I came across a newly-hatched turtle that clearly was having trouble making it through the waves to deeper water.
I waded out to where the water was neck-deep and released the little guy, and watched as he swam away.....but he got only a few yards before a friggin' frigate bird swooped down and grabbed him.
Ah, nature!