Phil asked -

> The only thing I could find that matched is the
> black-footed albatross. I looked again on Monday, but we got blown off the
> water by 9 o'clock when a storm blew in. Didn't get back out before I came
> home the 18th. Did I really see an albatross? Talk about making my trip!!

Most assuredly you saw a Black-footed Albatross. They are one of the more
common goose-sized N. Pacific pelagic birds at any season, often approaching
the outer coast of N. America close enough to be seen from shore. Not much
that they could be mistaken for except possibly another albatross, but
Laysans are noticeably whiter underneath and young Short-taileds are bigger
with a much lighter bill.

- Jack


Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca