August 9, 2007
Puffin, Pink-feet and pinnipeds in Monterey
No rest for the wicked - Marcel, John and I had to leave Davis at 330am to get to Monterey for a Shearwater Journeys pelagic (and just as well given my lousy map-reading - I clearly don't know the way to San Jose!). As the boat left port we had some close views of Pigeon Guillemot...
... a few Sea Otters...
... and an unexpected pod of Bottlenose Dolphins.
I was extremely lucky when a young birder on board found this gorgeous adult Horned Puffin at the kelp line - perhaps my most wanted bird on this visit. This species had undergone an unusual invasion along the California this year, but the birds have been disappearing fast over the last few weeks.
Out at sea it was cold an overcast - a real shock after the 100 degree heat in Davis. A good assortment of early fall seabirds were present. A particular highlight of the trip was really close views of Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, so full from feeding they could barely take off as the boat approached.
As expected, a number of Black-footed Albatross were picked up.
We had some great close encounters with Humpback Whales, including a couple of breaches.
The usual view of a Northern Fur Seal, with fins pointing skywards.
Other highlights out at sea were a Blue Shark, Pomarine Jaeger, 2 Ashy Storm-Petrels and a smattering of Sabine's Gulls.
Back at Fisherman's Wharf, the sun finally came out and made the world less monochrome. Several Heerman's Gulls were hanging out on the rocks.
All in all a very satisfying day and a good refresher on the common seabirds in preparation for next week's Fort Bragg extravaganza. Thanks to Marcel for lending me his old digital SLR!
Posted by rjhall at August 9, 2007 12:14 AM