albatross...

Last night, about 800 miles off the coast of Argentina, I was with a few
people on the back deck and we had the pleasure of seeing about 5 adult
albatross flying around us. We stood out there for nearly 45 minutes
while these huge and magnificent birds sailed in the air right around
the ship. They were checking us out as much as we were checking them out
and they flew within a few feet of the ship. Not once, in the entire
time we watched, did we see a wing flap. These birds are huge and
unreal. Did you know that they can live off land for nearly 10 years at
a time? We tried, without success, to get one to land on the ship.

I think the most fun part of the whole experience was watching Don G.
watch the birds. He is the Global Studies professor on board, a hoot and
a half, and was just giddy about seeing them. It was hard to not be
enthralled watching his excitement about the albatross!