They are the only pair ever to have brought so many sets of twins from the nesting grounds in Canada to the flock's wintering grounds in Texas.

The female returned to the pair's usual territory after fall migration 2011 her lifelong mate, Al, was not with her. A different male, a new mate, defended the territory all winter with her. She never again brought another youngster to Aransas, and disappeared when she was 26 years old.

Photo Sue Kersey