Sean the Seabird

On a dark and lonely night watch, a swift shadow swept over the cockpit several times.

As it circled in closer and closer, I could see it was a bird, which finally picked a landing spot on the life rail about 2 feet from my perch near the tiller!

I waited quietly and so did the bird. It rested and preened, and I marveled at having such unique company so deep in the night. I named my new frend Sean. The seabird stayed with us the whole night, and met each of my shipmates as they took watch. But lke many friends you meet cruising, Sean moved on his way the next day.

We haven't been able to make an official bird species identification. You would think albatross so far at sea, but the bird was small for that, about the size of a large gull. Sean is very tapered at both the bill and tail in flight. Any comments (we can receive comments at sea, just not respond to them) on what type of bird my new friend is are appreciated.