Sharing the joy, magic and extraordinary moments on Kuaihelani is what we do because of YOU! For those not on social media—for reasons we understand—we want to bring some of our most popular social media posts right to your inbox.
Looking back at March, we wanted to find the Top 3 posts that were Facebook favorites. These posts received the most reactions, comments, and shares than any others. We're counting them down to make sure you don't miss out on the greatest hits!
Starting Out at Number Three
Your Sunday Morning Moment on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) with Joe Owen
A pair of makalena, or short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), sit side by side, guarding their egg—a symbol of hope for the future. Sadly this egg did not hatch this year, but these dedicated parents have successfully raised five chicks in six previous seasons!
(Post and photos by USFWS Volunteer Joe Owen)
Number Two
This mōlī or Laysan albatross is returning from the sea, possibly on a determined mission to feed its chick, within Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Once a U.S. Naval Air Facility, Midway Atoll catered to incoming military aircraft and housed as many as 4,500 people during the Cold War era, most who worked and lived on Sand Island's 2.4 square miles.
Concrete and rubble still exists within certain areas of the shoreline. However, with decades of federal clean-up and conservation action, the islands are now a landing and nesting site for literally millions of seabirds, including the world's largest albatross and nunulu (Bonin petrel) colonies.
And the most popular post is…
A Heartbeat of Hope
Tucked under his father, watch closely for the steady breaths of a mōlī (Laysan albatross). This is Wisdom's Grand Chick. The chick's father wears band number N333 and his mother Wisdom is now 74+ years old and rearing a chick of her own!
When N333 was three months old, he survived the deadly impacts of a tsunami triggered by the Tōhoku earthquake that moved across the Pacific Ocean flooding the islands of Midway Atoll the night of March 11, 2011. To learn more about N333's story click here.
Video by USFWS Dan Rapp on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Courtesy of the Friends of Midway Atoll. To watch the second Heartbeat of Hope video, click here.
Article by Ann Bell and Krystal Winn