Thursday, April 19, 2012

Vacation

This is a bit late, mainly because I'm on vacation in Alexandria, VA this week and next.  I'll put up a few pics from earlier last week.  We had quite a bit going on with boat operator certification training and first responder training for the airport staff.  We had some really good instructors out to help.  I only did first aid training since I am still qualified as a Wilderness First Responder.  I didn't do the boat training either since I'm still good with that too.  We didn't have a tour group this week after Joe Van Os left with his group.  He has been here with his groups for 3 weeks.  His groups concentrate on photography, so his groups always have really great photos.
I won't do a blog this coming week, and probably not the next weekend either, since I won't be getting back to Midway until that Monday.

I went to Eastern Island to check the duck seeps and the boat operating course students came to pick me up.

 One project that the volunteers worked on was building nest boxes for Bulwer's petrels and Tristram's Storm petrels to nest in.  This is Peter, RJ, and Jennifer.

 The Red-footed boobies are nesting on Eastern Island.

 There are only a few White tern chicks around, but a lot of eggs that will be hatching soon.

 The chicks are getting bigger.  Here are a few over by the gun on Eastern Island.

I got to see one cool thing on vacation so far.  The space shuttle Discovery is on its way to the Smithsonian Museum for permanent display.  I got this shot as it flew over the Potomac River.  I was trying to get a photo of it flying over the monuments at the Mall, but I didn't have a good angle on it, or it was too far away when it flew over them.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Pete, thanks for the post! I've enjoyed reading them over the past few years. I go to college in DC and have always been into history, so learning about what midway is like today is very interesting. I was also fortunate enough to see the shuttle get flown in, and got a video of it flying behind the Lincoln--certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Thanks again, and I look forward to future posts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr2F_nnZN0M

romancandle said...

Pete,

Fantastic picture of the adult white tern and chick.

I love reading your updates. Keep it up!

AWCS Heminger USN Ret said...

Pete,

While stationed at Barbers Point Hawaii as an Aircrewman I had the opportunity to land at Midway many times. I have many good memories of the island. My last trip through was after the base was closed and I got to billet in the CO's house.

One of my most favorite memories was watching the young birds learn to fly in the wind of the exhaust fan for the hangar. I have to admit I also found the landings of the "Gooney Birds" hilarious.

Thanks for the pictures and stories.