Two weeks ago, Mandisa made a trip to Catalina. The trip over was
overcast, foggy and windless. We've had these conditions before and we
expected it to be very boring. However, about a third of the way over,
we were surprised by a little bird landing on the boat. Then another.
Then two or three more...

http://www.ballreich.net/mandisa/photos/lifeline_birds_small.jpg

At one point there were about seven birds on the boat. This was a mixed
flock of Wilson's Warblers and Yellow Warblers. They came and went, but
one little yellow guy stayed with us for most of the trip...

http://www.ballreich.net/mandisa/photos/cockpit_bird_small.jpg

He seemed almost tame and was quite curious about us - hopping around
the cockpit, flying down below (he left a mint on my pillow!), and even
landing on us from time to time...

http://www.ballreich.net/mandisa/photos/arm_bird_small.jpg
http://www.ballreich.net/mandisa/photos/foot_bird_small.jpg

The excitement of the day must of worn him out because he stopped
several times to take a nap...

http://www.ballreich.net/mandisa/photos/napping_bird_small.jpg

He was with us until we were about a mile from Catalina when he flew off.

We've never had this happen before and it didn't happen on the trip
back. Several friends have had warblers visit their boats, and one of
them thinks that this population may have learned to use sailboats as
rest stop when they're out eating bugs over the water. I don't know much
about birds, but I sure hope it happens again.

Cindy
s/v Mandisa
Baba 30

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Received on Wed May 31 11:21:53 2006