Island superhero

I found it quite ironic that the movie "The Avengers" was released this week, especially with what happened on one cold and wet day.

This week I got to play civilian sidekick to our very own Superheros. The Superman and Invisible woman of Gough Island:  Sylvain and Karen. AKA Birdman and Bird Girl.
Creative names right? Alright then, not really. But at least they accurate.
Let me recount the story. All you need to do is imagine the animations and insert the sounds that should accompany this comic. Cause sadly I forgot my camera this time round. But you'll understand why it would have been tricky to take any pictures as you read.

Whilst sitting in the met office staring out over the vastness of the ocean, I was startled by the appearance of Birdman appear in the window. A courteous greeting in place and he was into explaining how one of the Molly's (Yellow Nosed Albatross) that was fledging hadn't really done so successfully, and was now sitting at the bottom of seal beach, surrounded by several large seals, and at great risk of having one of the waves; that was steadily increasing in size, come crashing down over it.

Birdman then asked if I would be keen to go down with him and help out in rescuing it.

Well, I wasn't doing much else. So thought to myself: "The molly needs us. I must do something to help." And then there was the fact that I have always wanted to be a superhero and swoop down and come to the rescue. Sidekick would be a step in the right direction surely?! A good place to start?

So it was with great urgency that a jumped out of my chair and raced to get suited up. Ready in my superhero outfit I meet up with Birdman out the front of the base (read hideout). He was ready and waiting. Large back pack over the shoulders we set off on the path to Seal beach where we were greeted by Bird Girl; who was patiently sitting in the drizzle keeping an eye on the young molly and all the villainous seals and waves that were holding it captive.

We discussed our plan of action and then begun descending the access rope where we knew we would have a large contingency of seals waiting to stop us.

Upon our arrival we had to navigate our way across the slippery rocks amongst the sneaky seals. They seemed determined to stop us. Fortunately Birdman had his secret weapon with him. A large wooden pole that the seals feared. They all went flopping about toward the safety of the ocean as we made our advance

All was going well until we realised the commotion caused by the small, blubbery, stampede was startling the molly we were down to rescue. Slowing our movements and stealthily moving amongst the seals reduced the disturbance and allowed us to stalk the bird which had once again calmed down.

We needed to stalk the bird and flank it in order for the rescue to be successful, but as it was perched on a rock close to the crashing waves, it wasn’t as easy as we initially thought.

We had to cross the river that was flowing quite rapidly due to all the rain, and then climb up a couple rocks with the waves nipping away only a foot or two bellow us.

We were then in position with the bird still relatively calm. Our next challenge was to grab hold of young molly without disturbing the seals that were surrounding it. These seemed to be the guards that we had to get past for the rescue to be a success . So we slowly coaxed the guards out of the way, being as careful as possible not to stress out our helpless victim. Once we felt there was no longer a threat, Birdman and I took our positions. Before a seal could even bark out, Birdman had darted forward and grabbed hold of the young Molly with daring speed and agility. The same skill and agility that a real superhero possess.

The molly was gently bundled into the back pack we had brought with and we begun the walk back. Being as careful as possible not to slip and become vulnerable to the large seals that were flopping about around us.

We arrived at the base of the embankment and swiftly made our way back up the access rope leaving behind the barking of the defeated seals and villainous waves. 

We proceeded to scout out a safe spot where we could release the rescued molly in the hope that it could get this next attempt at flying right.

Once we found a decent clearing we lay the pack down on the ground and begun opening it up. The young bird was then poking it's head out and trying to wriggle free whilst I was still trying to open the bag. This was much to it's disapproval and he soon had my glove in it's beak and was trying with all it's might to tear it apart. Eventually the bag was opened and the courageous albatross was waddling out onto the grass ready to give flying another go.

We can only hope it was able to get it right the second time around.

And that was how I got to experience being a superhero this week.

Perhaps I will be called on again soon!