I don’t go on many pelagic trips because I always get sick.  It’s just a matter of degree.  I ended up going on three trips this year, kind of by accident.  Two went pretty well.  The other, well…

The reasons to go are obvious–

This Black-footed Albatross was one of many seen on calm seas on 9/27/08 at Monterey Bay.  Original at Flickr.

This Flesh-footed Shearwater was another highlight.  Original at Flickr.

Just can’t get enough of these charismatic Black-footed Albatrosses
Original at Flickr.

This was on a memorable trip out of Bodega Bay on 8/12/08.  Richard Hall was visiting from England, and convinced me and a few others to go on this trip.  As it was, I saw my first Fort-tailed Storm-Petrel and Xantus’s Murrelet.  I was also sick most of the time, as it was very rough, and, at the end of the day, I didn’t make it all the way to the back of the boat in an emergency lunge at the rail, and spattered some of my fellow travelers.  I really felt like jumping overboard at that point.

Buller’s 9/27/08, Montery Bay.  Original at Flickr.

After years of avoiding pelagics, it was an odd feeling, in addition to being sick, knowing that I’d already signed up for a trip to Monterey Bay.  Fortunately, the seas were much calmer, and I didn’t throw up for just the second time when going on a pelagic trip.