IT'S A SMORGASBORD OUT THERE!
PELAGIC RED CRABS, SQUID, ANCHOVIES & KRILL
MONTEREY SEABIRDS & MARINE MAMMALS GALORE!
with
This CALIFORNIA SEA LION escaped the jaws of a GREAT WHITE SHARK.
He is likely to recover from these wounds, but the shark lost out on its meal.
PELAGIC RED CRABS were evident in the harbor.
This WESTERN GULL is enjoying a meal.
Just off Cannery Row, we encountered some RISSO'S DOLPHINS feeding on SQUID, above.
Our Captain, Tinker, caught some squid for us. Here's one, above.
Just out side of the harbor (!) at least ten HUMPBACK WHALES were gorging on anchovies.
Hundreds of BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS along with 30-40 CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS
were also part of this feeding frenzy.
There is a Black-vented Shearwater in the above image, just above the "s" in the word, shearwater.
Off of Moss Landing, we observed KILLER WHALES in two groups: one group of two adult males, and another group of 4 females and young.
The killer whales seemed to be looking for something to eat!
Offshore, we encountered a single LAYSAN ALBATROSS.
This appears to be the same individual which has showed up on two of our Half Moon Bay trips.
Laysan Albatross is always a treat and never expected.
Out in the deeper waters of the canyon edges, we ran into loads and loads of KRILL.
Three FIN WHALES were feeding on the krill.
Many BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES followed the boat.
This NORTHERN/PACIFIC FULMAR looks as though it summered in the area.
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS follow the boat in good numbers.
It seems that Pink-footed Shearwaters feed on a different prey item than Sooty Shearwaters.
Hence, Sootys are found closer to shore, feeding on the anchovies.
It was an altogether terrific day at sea!
Many thanks to all of the birders who traveled from near and far to join us on this day. The leaders were: NICK LEVENDOSKY, MARY GUSTAFSON, and DEBI SHEARWATER.
THE COMPLETE SPECIES LIST FOR SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' SEPTEMBER 3, 2016 MONTEREY BAY PELAGIC TRIP FOLLOWS.
MONTEREY/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES:
LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 0/1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 17/28
NORTHERN/PACIFIC FULMAR- 1/0
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 250/120
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 0/2
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 3500/100
BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER- 285/7
BROWN PELICAN- 110/0
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 270/1
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 2/0
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 14/0
BLACK TURNSTONE- 3/0
SURFBIRD- 1/0
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 16/20
POMARINE JAEGER- 1/2
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1/1
HERRMANN'S GULL- 90/2
CALIFORNIA GULL- 185/70
WESTERN GULL- 300/45
SABINE'S GULL- 1/0
ELEGANT TERN- 90/2
COMMON TERN- 0/4
ARCTIC TERN- 0/1
COMMON MURRE- 1020/190
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 0/1
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 1/2
PEREGRINE FALCON- 1, on the radio tower along Cannery Row, eating its prey
SEA OTTER- 4
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 150
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 1
FIN WHALE- 3
HUMPBACK WHALE- 25
KILLER WHALE- 6
RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 18
OCEAN SUNFISH- 2
UPCOMING TRIPS DEPARTING FROM MONTEREY BAY:
SEPTEMBER 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25
OCTOBER 1, 8, 16
The SEP 10 ALBACORE TRIP IS SOLD OUT
UPCOMING TRIPS DEPARTING FROM HALF MOON BAY:
SEPTEMBER 16 & 18
OCTOBER 2 & 9
LIVING THE SALT LIFE,
Debi Shearwater
debi@shearwaterjourneys.com
Bird images by David Barton, copyright.
Other images by Debi Shearwater, copyright.
1 comment:
Looks like a wonderful trip. I still have fond memories of kayaking through Elkhound Slough and visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium but still have to go on a pelagic trip out there.
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