The albatross and the whales they are my brothers

Well I was born in the sign of water,
And it’s there that I feel my best,
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers.
~ The Little River Band ~ Cool Change

I knew the song lyrics well, but had never seen an albatross, nor did I really know what one was, until living here.

Through the winters here in Hawaii, we are visited by our brothers…
The albatross and the whales.  They are welcome, gentle visitors to our island and its waters, and a special viewing treat for us to be sure.

The Laysan Albatross (Moli, in Hawaiian) makes Kauai one of their annual nesting areas.  The majestic albatross looks like a beautiful seagull on steroids, with wingspans of six feet.

The same albatross return to Kauai every year.  Arriving in November and staying into April along the rugged coastline of Kauai’s north shore.  It’s here, where they mate, nest, hatch baby chicks, and watch those baby albatrosses fledge, making their very first flights.

Many albatross make themselves at home in residential yards of our Princeville neighborhood. Taking walks around our neighborhood this time of year, provides exceptional viewing of these graceful animals, doing what they do.  We just happen to be here to observe.

Learn more about these amazing birds at Kauai Albatross Network.

Max’s class has been learning about our Kauai albatross visitors.  (That’s Max poking his fingers through his albatross mask eye holes).

They made their own albatross masks, then learned about albatross mating dance moves.  This one is particularly attractive.

Go ahead, sing the lyrics to the Little River Band’s Cool Change…it’s a feel good song!

Well I was born in the sign of water,
And it’s there that I feel my best,
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers…

  Click this iTunes button to download Cool Change by the Little River Band.