A pair of birds recently took up residence in a hollowed-out cavity of a tree, probably hoping to get a bit of piece and quite before starting a family.

Similar scenes are being repeated throughout the northern hemisphere, by countless pairs of birds. Some nest in trees, others in bird boxes, a few in tall grasses. Some pairs lay one egg, while others lay several. All, usually, do this without inspiring a whirl of press and excitement surrounding the event.

But this particular pair of birds is not your usual avian couple and their presence has created quite a stir. These birds are highly endangered California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) and they're nesting in the wild, in the cavity of a towering redwood tree, in Big Sur California. The last time Big Sur saw a pair of wild California condors was over a century ago.

Find out more:

• Pair of California Condors Found Nesting in Big Sur (Big Sur Chamber of Commerce)
• Condors End 100-Year Absence In Norcal Woods (KTVU)
• Reintroducing the California Condor to Big Sur (Ventana Wildlife Society)
• Rare Condors Found Nesting in Redwood (National Geographic)

Photo © Ferenc Cegledi