Buller's Shearwater.
Last month I went on a Shearwater Journeys trip out of Half Moon Bay....although not particularly birdy, we did have calm seas and a great diversity of species. Since I am a poor seasonal biologist (financially, not spiritually), I don't go on many pelagics...so I was pretty happy to be out there. Unfortunately, I was unable to witness anyone vomiting. Maybe next time.
If you have the misfortune of never going on a pelagic trip off California, consider yourself a sorry son of a bitch. On the bright side, you have so much facemelting tube-nosed goodness to look forward to. Here is the first part of a suite of pictures from last month.
Lastly, thanks to everyone for checking out BB&B...last month we had more blog traffic than ever! The Great Ornithologist Felonious Jive tries to take all the credit for this, and he may be right....I hate him.
Elegant Terns.
Norther Fulmar, the world's grossest seabird.
Short-tailed Shearwater. Yet another good bird with a bad name. Thanks a lot, forefathers of birding.
If you do not know this is a Brown Pelican, you are a bad person.
California Sea Lions. I wonder if there is a technical term for what they are doing here. I assure you they are not frolicking. Boiling maybe?
Common Murres. Any guesses on what that gull is?
Cassin's Auklets are terrible fliers, but strong runners.
I'll leave you with this terrible Flesh-footed Shearwater photograph. It's only the second one I've seen. Obviously, I need to be able to afford more pelagic trips.
Pretty sweet stuff... I fear the pelagic trip, mainly because I fear vomiting in public. I like the boiling sea lions, terns with fish in their mouths never get old, and the rest of the birds I've never seen before make me drool a little. Thanks, now I need a napkin.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to comment on the Specials. I was an embarrassingly big fan of ska back in high school. The specials are one of the few bands I can still listen to without wincing a little.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth the risk of puking...just pop some bonine or dramamine and see what happens! I have been seasick a few times but have never needed to throw up...thank god for magic pills.
ReplyDeleteAs for ska...I hear you. I am still quite fond of it (listening to Desmond Dekker right now). Specials are timeless though!