July 26, 2017
Every once in a while, cyberspace, namely Google, throws me a bone. I ran a search on Easter Island and up popped a story about Wisdom the Laysan albatross.
Having followed Wisdom for several years, I must confess I didn't check on her this past spring. She's at least 66 years old now, and I suppose I fear that one day there will be bad news.
This year's little fluffball hatched on February 16th. It's estimated this chick is number 30 to 35 for Wisdom. At the time, both appeared to be in good health. Proud pappa Akeakamai is not Wisdom's first mate. She's had several in the course of her life, outliving them all. The chick has already been banded and I wish for it as long a life as its mother's.
Wisdom was first banded December 10, 1956, as an adult, so we do have a close approximation of her age. It's wonderful to have such a history on her, except we don't. Wisdom is a bit sneaky. After they managed to put a band on her, she evaded being spotted until 2002! Can you imagine the surprise when the scientists realized who they'd found?
I enjoy a good success story. Long may Wisdom prosper.
KC
February 9, 2014
Hooray for Wisdom!! According to a story published last Friday, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and the world's oldest bird, has become a mother again at age 63. (Read the story here.)
Wisdom first captured my attention back in 2011. I love the strange and oddball pieces of news found on the Internet because I never know what will trigger an idea for a story. True, I doubt I'll write a bird story, but you never know. It may come to pass that a character might happen to be a backyard bird watcher.
But back to Wisdom. She was first banded in 1956 as an adult bird so they do have a close approximation on her age. Layson albatross mate for life so it stands to reason she's outlived a few of her soul mates. That's sad to the romantic heart but there's a lesson there - never stop going forward.
That she's still mating and producing a viable egg every year speaks to her continued health. In this era of doom and gloom news, Wisdom is a certainly a bright spot. She's calmly leading her life, doing what she does while blissfully unaware of her growing celebrity.
Sounds like she's living up to her name.
(Here's the link to last year's blog about Wisdom.)
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
July 26, 2017
