Yesterday, my bother and I participated in the hot coho salmon fishing action
off of Seal Rock. This also provided the opportunity to observed seabirds
transitioning to basic plumage. We observed and photographed a common murre in
basic plumage that was still escorting and unfledged chick and an adult pigeon
guillemot that had made the transformation from black with a little white to
white with some black. Of special interest was a group for 27 adult marbled
murrelets located 3/4 mile offshore from Ona Beach. We observed a flock of 8
and a flock of 7 with the rest in pairs. All have transitioned to basics
plumage except one, but it was on its way.
It’s really tough to photograph these small birds that have an aversion to
boats while you're standing in a small rocking boat. It felt like a success
when I could remain vertical and keep the birds in the camera view finder, but
focusing is another story. I posted a few photos here but they’re nothing to
write home about.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24707703@N06/albums/72157719823247533 ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24707703@N06/albums/72157719823247533>
Roy Lowe
Waldport, OR
