Video

I finally got around to reading some of the directions on the camera I've had for the last 4 years. Have never got around to trying video with it, but, after Sara gave me so much shit about wishing I had a video camera out here (she reminded me in her oh, so subtle way that my regualar camera probably DID shoot video and what do ya know, she was right) ANYWAY, lets' see if I can upload a quick one I shot of our trip to Eastern with all the Sooty Terns.

I'm Back

Yep, I'm alive and well. Man, that was some nasty bug! It was some kind of fever. No nausea. Just this fever and never-ending fatigue. No idea what it was, but, glad it got gone right about the time Sara got here. We had a lot of fun, but, wish she could have stayed longer.

The major bummer about being sick was that I pretty much missed the 66th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. I spent a lot of time helping plan it, went to Hono to meet the group and come out with them, and promptly went home and passed out after I got here. Seems to have gone pretty well. The whole thing is just kind of a surreal memory to me.

Did I tell you I have geckos in the house? One just ran across the wall and caught my eye. Pretty good trade; clean up a little poop once in a while in exchange for him eating bugs around the house...

It's actually quiet around here for the first time in a long time. No visitors, no dignitaries, no special events. Just us island folk, doing our thing. I'm still researching. Got a 1943 photo from one of our visitors showing his father and a bunch of other guys in front of a Quonset hut over on Eastern Island. Looking at two others I have, one from 1941 and one from 1942, I think I can pinpoint where the photo was taken. I'll try to remember to put two of the photos on here. Amazing how different the islands look now.

Weather has been rainy, but, the birds are loving it. Not many adults left now; just an occasional one coming in to feed a chick. They are really stretchig their wings when the wind blows. They know the time is near when they must learn to fly away and find food, or, they will die. They are really fun to watch. It's like watching a child learning to walk. They both toddle, they fall, they get up, they try again. Some are actually lifting off a few feet, then they crash and look startled. "Whoa, what just happened? It sorta feels right, but, I think there's more to it." Hilarious! I stop for a while every day to look, smile, laugh, and cheer them on.

This guy lives outside my back door. I left my flip flops outside and he decided to steal one. Good thing we came out or I might never have found it.

Brent, our volunteer who left a couple of weeks ago, came on one of my tours and took a few photos. So, here's one of me in my spiffy new Fish and Wildlife uniform. OK, the hat isn't quite uniform, but, I'm tired of getting skin cancer and it looks pretty good.

Peace,

Murray

Guest Post by Sara

Murray is alive. Shortly after his last post on May 29th, he came down with something. He told me he was sick, but after seeing everyone's reaction on the island of him walking around, I think it was much more than "I am sick". He required several IVs and upon my arrival in Honolulu, my voicemail had two messages from him indicating he was possibly being flown off the island. As he put it "I'm being voted off the island". But he came through it and I arrived on Friday, June 6th at approximately 9pm. Upon arriving, he greeted me at the plane in a full sweat so there was a possibility of us leaving on the flight the next day. The plane was being held overnight because of a big wig on the flight. But he made it through the night.

My post won't be as articulate as his, but I will try my best. As we drove back to the house, it was obvious there were some birds here. The next morning I found out just how many...500,000 pairs of albatrosses. That is just the adults and doesn't count the chicks and sub-adults. I watched the movie the Birds when I was way too young and so you should know how I was feeling. I have gotten over the shock, awe, and holy shitness. But still there are like a million birds (and that is just the albatrosses). AHHH!!!

I am sure Murray has told you about the island...it is 1.8 x 1.8 miles long. I still can't figure out the layout either. Honestly, it would be easy to get lost on the island. I had to laugh the first day when Murray said we would tour the town first. I figure we could tour the entire island in one day, but honestly that just isn't possible. Each day, I have had a specialized tour of either the buildings or the trails. I have added 16 birds to my geeky life bird list. I have learned a little about the history of the island. Transportation consists of golf carts, bicycles, and foot traffic. My tours have been on a bicycle, one that has a faulty chain, but otherwise it is grand. Riding is like driving through an obstacle course with all the birds.

Although the island is small, we've been busy every day with something. Some times it is a tour in the morning with a nap in the afternoon. So here is a little list of what I've gotten to do on this small island....

snorkeling, bird watching, turtle watching, seal watching, tour of a NOAA ship, walking the beach, getting to see an albatross chick puke, hanging out with National Geographic film makers (watch the NG channel for Murray and Midway), eating 3 great meals a day (evenings of Thai food), laying on the beach and getting sunburned of course, walking the beach with 12 shades of blue water, seeing buildings from all eras of Midway Island, and hanging out with Shoe.

Hopefully one day others will be able to visit this place. Besides being beautiful in so many ways, the history is amazing as well. When I return to the mainland, I will post my photos here:

Sara's Photos