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We cannot afford to walk sightless among miracles.” — Hob Osterlund.

When I say, life is for…
What comes to mind? How would you complete that statement?

Personally, a flood of feelings, memories, and ideas comes to mind when I think about “the purpose of life.” One of the most intriguing aspects of this question, aside from the fact that our outlooks are subject to change, is that most of us have totally relatable definitions or absolutely contrasting ones.

These analogous ideas are part of what establishes our communities, partnerships, friendships, hobbies, and, ultimately, what we do with the time we are given. In fact, it’s probably what led you to this post today. What a beautiful concept. And also complicated. Am I right?

Life is for —

No, life cannot be easily surmised. But it is an act of delight to attempt it. 

Here are my meditations on what life is for as I see it in my current phase:

Life is for —
Building our own version of home from the happiness and heartache of our childhood.
Touching grass with bare toes, feeling the jagged edges of tree bark against our fingertips.
Listening.
Creative expression: stories, poems, art.
Music, the type that calls movement to those still bones: dance, sway, sing.
Laughter that makes your belly and face sore—the jokes you share with your closest friends, with your partner or sibling(s).
The love that is all yours, and ours, and theirs.
Inciting senses and pleasure.
The way we pinch salt between tight fingers, place rosemary and slices of lemon in a warm pot, and savor the meal before it ever touches our taste buds.
Life is for remembering the ones no longer with us, through the food they shared, the films they loved, and the lessons we didn’t understand right away.
Friendship.
And lastly, new experiences: travel, conversations, observations, ideas, knowledge, lessons – chase them, feel them, explore it all before there is no more life left.

More to the Point

We each have a particular brand of what life is for. That’s what makes things fun.

So, why am I having a deep introspective conversation about life’s purpose when the title of this post promised Mōlī Albatross?

To my previous point – the one about experiences, observations, and knowledge – I am fascinated by uncovering elements of the natural world, especially those related to animals. For me, a better understanding of life on our planet insights a buzzing energy. Correspondingly, this passion includes sharing what I learn and experience with you.

Most recently, this fascination was sparked by the Mōlī Albatross (Laysan Albatross). An indigenous seabird to Hawai’i, one I quickly learned has many layers of significance and interesting facts.

So, let’s get into it.

Our Experience with Mōlī Albatross

I first saw these larger-than-life birds at Ka’ena Point Natural Reserve, and they are truly a charming sight. Now, not the largest bird alive today, the Ostrich holds that title; they are strikingly large, especially their young, which seemed about the height of their adult counterparts.

The first juvenile albatross we came across (pictured below) stood still as stone. Accordingly, from a hiker’s distance, they resembled one of the many black lava rocks that surround the area. It wasn’t until we got closer (still residing on the designated trail) that we realized this was the first of many Mōlī Albatross we would have the pleasure of witnessing on our hike.

We leisurely strolled along the winding paths observing more and more young Albatrosses as we made our way closer to the cliffside. They were peppered around, some standing solitarily and others lying in spatial clusters just a few feet apart.

The day drew on, and we slowly made our way from the trail’s end back to the beginning, watching as adult Albatross flew from the sea to the cliffs with mouths of fish for their young.

While observing these birds from a respectful distance (15ft+), we listened as the babies communicated with their parents – calls that were undoubtedly reminiscent of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park films, and for good reason.

It’s my understaning that for Jurassic Park III, the Pteranodon (large, flying raptors) sounds are a clever combination of seabirds, including Albatross. Of course, using birds for dinosaur calls is a clever choice; after all, they are our living dinosaurs, aren’t they? “Did Dinosaurs Really Go Exstict?” video

Prior to hiking at Ka’ena Point Natural Reserve, I’d never seen an Albatross before. Watching as the parents cared for their babies was a lesson in gratitude. Coupled with a reminder to stay curious about the life just outside my door.

About Mōlī Albatross

The Mōlī Albatross is an indigenous species to Hawai’i. As these birds display “nest site fidelity,” they return to the same nesting sites repeatedly. You can find them from November through July on Kaua’i and Ka’ena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oahu.
Learn more about their nesting behavior.

“When young albatrosses are old enough to leave the nest (at about 5 1/2 months), they spend the next three years at sea. They will sleep and eat at sea, not touching land for years.” — Ocean Convervancy

Mōlī (Laysan) Albatross are known to form strong bonds and mate for life. Similar to other bird species, they attract mates by performing their best and most captivating dances, which include bill and wing gestures.

The display is too cute not to share:

“One thing you should know about Laysan albatrosses: They’re quite romantic. Writer Noah Strycker puts it best: “There’s love, then there’s albatross love.” The Laysan albatross might have one of the most intense love affairs on the planet.” — Ocean Convervancy

Mōlī Albatross At Ka’ena Point

Indeed, there is much to learn about Mōlī Albatross, and I found the video below, produced by the Hawaiian Department of Land and Natural Resources, especially insightful. Also, check out the Kaua’i Albatross Network for a deeper dive into Mōlī Albatross behaviors.

What Makes a Seabird?

The Mōlī Albatross is a true seabird.
Which had me wondering, what makes a seabird a seabird?

Well, several qualifiers define a seabird. One most fascinating to me are their “tubenoses,” which, according to NOAA, are “the tubular structures on the bills of these birds that cover the nostrils. These birds have well-developed glands near these bill tubes that allow them to consume seawater and then excrete salt from the solution.”

Their specialized bills mean “these birds will not need to drink or even see freshwater for their entire lives.” 

Additionally, seabirds undertake long-distance migrations, and while “long-distance” is relative to many, in the bird world, this means a thousand miles or more. The Mōlī Albatross spends its life traveling all along the Pacific, and according to the American Bird Conservancy, “can glide over the open ocean for hours at a time without a single flap of its wings, sailing hundreds of miles a day.”

Another notable distinction is that seabirds tend to live longer than other birds. In fact, the oldest known wild bird is a Mōlī (Layson) Albatross named Wisdom.

Wisdom, The Oldest Wild Bird

Conservation

The current conservation status for the Mōlī (Laysan) Albatross is near threatened. A near-threatened status means “they are close to qualifying for a threatened category or are likely to qualify in the near future.“

For some, the “near threatened” status doesn’t sound alarming. And I’ll give you, it certainly doesn’t ring the same concern bells as the terms ‘endangered’ or ‘critically endangered’ does. However, with the ever-changing world, the undeniable impacts of the climate crisis on weather patterns, and the historical evidence of how quickly a once-thriving species can become extinct, it’s never wise to wait until it’s too late to take action.

Conservation Goal(s): protect seabird populations and their breeding colonies, reestablish former breeding colonies, reducing the risk of extinction. —Kure Atoll Conservancy

If you watched the previously provided video on Mōlī Albatross at Ka’ena Point, you have already learned a little about the conservation efforts in Hawai’i. But, if you’re itching for more conservation information (and, of course, you are), don’t fret; I’ve got you covered.

Conservation Efforts: “maintain, protect, and enhance habitat; eradicate or control non-natives; minimize bycatch and other negative effects of fishing; improve the effectiveness of oil spill response efforts; identify contaminants and hazardous substances; and minimize the effects of powerlines, towers, wind turbines and lights.” —Kure Atoll Conservancy

Now, I know you’re wondering:
What can I do to help the Mōlī (Laysan) Albatross?
Well, I’m so glad you asked: 7 Ways You Can Help Albatrosses

Additionally, if you are a resident of Hawai’i or are considering a visit, kōkua our wildlife! Move mindfully and keep your distance. Never touch or feed animals. Limit the introduction of invasive species by checking your clothes and shoes for seeds before venturing on trails and wash your gear to prevent the spread of diseases.

No matter where you are, do your part. Pay attention to what’s going on politically. It’s naive to believe that environmental conservation isn’t political. Stay informed, vote, petition, and take action.

Final THoughts

I hope today’s post insights joy and curiosity. I hope you learned something really cool and new. And, at the very least, I hope you’ve been inspired to reflect on the practices within your own life that make it all worth living.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I love reading what you have to say.

P.S. Book Recomendation: Holy Mōlī: Albatross and Other Ancestors by Hob Osterlund

A Note: This post was 100% human-made. At no time did I use A.I to write this article. Images you see on this post were captured by me (or my partner) unless otherwise stated (credited/linked). Thank you for reading! 🙂

Resources I used to create this post:

1. 7 Ways You Can Help Albatrosses
2. All About Birds: Layson Albatross
3. American Bird Conservancy: Laysan Albatross (Mōlī)
4. Definition: “Near Threatened” by IFAW
5. Did Dinosaurs Really Go Exstict? video – PBS
6. Jurassic World’s Dinosaurs Roar to Life, Thanks to Bird Calls | Audubon, Emily Silber
7. Ka’ena Point Natural Area Reserve Albatross | Hawaiian Dep. of Land and Natural Resources
8. kōkua definition
9. Kaua‘i Albatross Network
10. Kure Atoll Conservancy
11. Mōlī courtship at Kīlauea Point | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
12. NRDC
13. Ocean Conservancy: Laysan Albatross
14. Original Full Addio Clip: Laysan Albatross
15. Saving Albatross Chicks From Tsunamis and Rising Seas | National Geographic
16. The World’s Oldest Known Bird | Earth’s Tropical Islands | BBC Earth
17. Viewing Marine Wildlife in Hawaii
18. What Makes a Bird a Seabird | NOAA