2009 11-15 SoCal Bight - All Day Bird Trip

Albatross, Fur Seal, Sea Lions, Shearwater, Fulmar and good looks at Pt. Arguello.

Black Footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) sitting on the slick.
phoebastria nigripes water bight
Black Footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) soaring across the open ocean swells.
phoebastria nigripes flight good bight
Close fly-by: a Black Footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes).
phoebastria nigripes flight bight
Ventral view - Buller's Shearwater (Puffinus bulleri).
phoebastria nigripes flight bight
View of Point Arguello - east side. Note the "USAF" letters and huge American flag on the big rocket hanger to the right side.
point arguello ocean bight
Looking directly at Point Conception and Pt Conception Light.
point conception light bight
Radical California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) manoeuvres.
zalophus californianus leaping bight
A Common Murre (Uria aalge) came up from a deep dive and immediately took flight over the glassy blue water.
uria aalge coming dive taking flight bight
Mostly Black Vented Shearwaters (Puffinus opisthomelas) in a tight pack on the open sea.
puffinus ophisthomelas tight flock water bight
Buller's Shearwater (Puffinus bulleri) moves across the waves.
phoebastria nigripes flight bight
I think this is Oil Platform Hermosa, and I'm certain that's Point Arguello and the USAF installation in the back.
oil platform point arguello bight
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) at work.
delphinus capensis bight
A Northern Fur Seal (Ursinus callorhinus) rafts on the open ocean in the characteristic "jug handle" position.
callorhinus ursinus northern fur seal jug handle surface bight
A long-whiskered Northern Fur Seal (Ursinus callorhinus) rafts on the open ocean in the characteristic "jug handle" position.
callorhinus ursinus northern fur seal jug handle surface bight
Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) leap over a wave.
delphinus capensis bight
A close look at a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) in mid air.
delphinus capensis bight
Gaviota State Beach and Gaviota Pass from about 6 miles offshore (using a 300mm lens and some cropping).
gaviota pass water bight
A Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) rests on the open ocean.
fulmaris glacialis water bight
A Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) soars an arc across the waves.
fulmaris glacialis flight good bight
Another Northern Fur Seal (Ursinus callorhinus) rafts on the open ocean in the characteristic "jug handle" position.
callorhinus ursinus northern fur seal jug handle surface bight

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2009 11-15 SoCal Bight - All Day Bird Trip