Mike in the Wild

A cruise from Seattle to Honolulu sounded like a great idea.  I liked the line, Princess; the ship, the Royal, had the best running track at sea; and the price was cheap.  Plus with five days at sea, I was bound to encounter some pelagic birds like albatrosses and shearwaters.  But rain showers while boarding should have reminded me that good weather wasn't a guarantee. In Puget Sound shortly after our sail away, I witnessed a tight flock of birds flying close to the water's surface.  Unfortunately they were so distant it was hard to identify them as surf scoters or harlequin ducks or any specific coastal bird.  The only seabird I could clearly make out in the area was a type of gull, most likely a glaucous-winged.  I wasn't prepared for the next day at sea when high swells and constant, unpredictable motion caused me seasickness.  It was difficult to focus on the shipboard naturalist's lectures, let alone indulge in the 24-hour dining options.  For safety, the outside