For many years, thirteen years to be more precise, I’d heard about an uncommon visitor on the California coast.To my disappointment Al B’s visits to Point Arena started one year after I finished my studies at Pacific Union College.It took over fourteen years to return.
Annually since 1994 Al B, a Laysan albatross, has spent part of the winter in Arena Cove.
So what you ask?
Albatross are known for their life at sea.Only after particularly harsh winter storms do they accidentally visit the shore.Seeing an albatross almost always requires a pelagic bird trip – a trip into the waves and often a frightful experience for those with weak stomachs.Even if an albatross is seen it is almost always the more common black-footed albatross, rarely a Laysan.
After four months stay at the Albion Field Station (Mendocino Biological Field Station) on the Mendocino Coast, Mendo Bird finally announced the return of Al B.Being there were only four of us at Albion today, not the usual church group crowd of the last several months we went to Bowling Ball Beach - of course the same beach I've been to off and on for the last four months.It is truly a spectacular beach.
On the way we stopped at the Pt Arena Lighthouse - built after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake caused the first lighthouse to collapse. Luck was on our side.I'd not climbed to the top before as there was an admission, and I’m sometimes too frugal, but today I learned visiting the lighthouse is free every year from 1-24 December. I climbed the circular stairway to the top, enjoyed the view and admired the Fresnel lens. The view of the ocean from 115 feet up was tremendous.
The next stop – the one I was looking forward to, was Point Arena Cove where Al the Albatross has been spending winters for the last twelve or thirteen years. Al is the only Laysan albatross known to winter on the North American continent. Most of his mates spend their winters in Hawaii. Arriving, I immediately spotted Al, but he was a couple hundred yards away.Even with binoculars I wasn’t easily convinced the large white bird was indeed an albatross, but I’d seen a new lifer – a Laysan albatross.The swell wasn’t good this afternoon so there weren’t people in the water.While standing there one of the local surfers came down.
We started visiting. It was soon apparent Al and Deru had a special relationship – a bonding few people ever will experience with wild wildlife. “Al sometimes comes over to visit as we paddle out to the breakers. He seems to like our company.”
Off-handed he mentioned, “Al will sometimes come when I call.He really seems to like some of us old-timers”
At that he started calling . . .
Hey Al, you pretty bird,
Al . . . Al Bee . . . Al you know me.
Al Bee, you’re a pretty bird.
Hey Al B, there is somebody here who wants to see you.
A few moments later Al started swimming towards us on the pier.As Al got closer he seemed to pick up momentum.A swell of water surged up around his breast.He left a visible wake.
Within a couple minutes Al arrived beneath us on the pier.
I was astounded . . . amazed . . . speechless . . . .
Thank you Deru.
PS.Is Al B really Al or should it really be called Alice?I don’t know.I don’t think anybody knows but after visiting with the surfers a few times I’m not going to try and change how this local resident is viewed by friends, friends that he listens too.Nobody knows more about Al then the surfers.
Al B has a webpage. Take a look for some fascinating photographs and stories:
http://www.pointarena.org/
Some of my other Mendocino haunts can be seen at:
http://www.webshots.com/user/stealthranger
