MAIACETUS: gull

Showing posts with label gull. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

January 7, 2015: Sheringham Stellers

Early this morning my friend called to offer me to join her on a drive up the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sheringham Lighthouse to scan for marine mammals, especially killer whales (Orcinus orca), cruising through the strait of Juan De Fuca. The first time she took me to visit the Sheringham Lighthouse and scan for whales was June 15 last year, when shortly after we arrived, we observed members of L pod of the southern resident killer whales swimming less than 100 m past the point! It was awesome...and now that I knew about this great land based spotting location I was keen to have a similar experience again today!

We drove along Highway 14, which is part of the Pacific Marine Circle Route, on the winding road that runs past Sooke along the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sheringham Point Lighthouse and beyond to Port Renfrew. We spent nearly an hour searching for marine mammals in the strait. Despite putting in a good amount of effort scanning the waters with naked eye and binoculars, we were not fortunate enough to observe killer whales again. We weren't too disappointed though because both of us have observed marine mammals in the area for 2+ decades and we knew they will be back another day.

Although we didn't observe any killer whales we did see what appeared to be humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blows way across the strait which were nicely highlighted by the low afternoon sun shining across the strait. As well, a fun group of three Steller sea lions (Eumatopias jubatus) swam by the lighthouse and we also some gulls and a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Even when there aren't killer whales here there are usually a few other species around to enjoy while exploring the west coast of Vancouver Island :)

Steller sea lions (Eumatopias jubatus)

Glaucous-Winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) in winter plumage

Friday, June 6, 2014

June 6, 2014: Kittiwake close up

365 Project, Day 199

Here is my day 199 submission to my 365Project:

Black-legged kittiwake's (Rissa tridactyla) were flying around and resting on the ship today. This one flew nice and close past me and one ended up too close for my zoom lens but I thought the shot was pretty cool anyways.

Location: central North Sea

Of course, there were also some gulls around today, like this Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), I photographed flying past the ship and scratching itself in flight. I love it when I can get shots of birds in action mid-flight!

Lesser-black backed gull (Larus fuscus)

These two black-legged kittiwake's (Rissa tridactyla) were vying for the same spot on one of the porthole ledges on the bow of the ship. Very entertaining watching their interactions as one was trying land in the same place another was already perched :)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

Incoming! Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

In a happy place :) Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis)

Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

North Sea oil rig

Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

In addition to the bird life, I saw this minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surface near the ship this morning. You can see the dark body colouration and the distinct, sickle shaped dorsal fin.

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

May 14, 2014: Early Morning Full Moon

365 Project, Day 186

Here is my day 186 submission to my 365Project:

Working in the Northern Hemisphere means that, as we approach the summer solstice, the nights are getting shorter and the days longer. For this job I am working midnight to noon; I am conducting passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) watches from midnight until sunrise which is currently 4 am! It is actually a nice balance working 4 hours on PAM (so getting our reporting done while monitoring and listening on the hydrophone but not too much computer work!) and then conducting 8 hours of visual watch.

Tonight was the full moon and when I came to the bridge to start my watch the moon was amazing, so bright and full! It had been a while since I photographed the moon but, after a bit of experimentation, I managed to recall the settings and take a photo of the full moon before the moon disappeared :)

And some more photos of the always present Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) and a Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus fuscus):

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)

Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

Saturday, May 10, 2014

May 10, 2014: Great Black Backed Gull With Wound

365 Project, Day 183

Here is my day 183 submission to my 365Project:

Although it was a sunny day the winds picked up reaching speeds up to 25 kts which is not great for searching for marine mammals as such winds make for choppy seas. In addition to choppy seas it seems the gulls like to ride the updraft created along the windward side of the vessel as the wind gusts towards us...this is great for watching them cruising around past us. While on watch this Great Black-Backed Gull (Larus marinus) spent a fair bit of time soaring next to the ship in these updrafts and I got a great look at it and could get some photos from where I was observing in the bridge.

Unfortunately, this poor gull appears to have a bit of a wound on it's belly and it must have been bothering it because I saw it scratching the wound a few times mid flight. Oh the tough life of a gull at sea...poor thing!

Friday, May 9, 2014

May 9, 2014: I See You!

365 Project, Day 182

Here is my day 182 submission to my 365Project:

When I'm home on Vancouver Island we regularly see harbour (or common) seals (Phoca vitulina) but, especially because I've been working mostly offshore Africa the last few years, I am not so used to seeing pinnipeds (feather footed marine mammals) while working as a marine mammal observer offshore. So, despite the fact this wouldn't be an exciting photo when I'm at home this is my first photo of a common seal, one of the two species of true seals, including the gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) living in the North Sea.

Common (Harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina)

Juvenile gull in flight

So called 'pretty litter'. We see balloons almost daily out here! One of the major contributors of marine plastic pollution...and one of my biggest pet peeves!

What's the deal with this so called "pretty litter"? Well,when we use balloons for parties, celebrations, special events and promotions many people don't realize that when they are released they have to end up somewhere and they become pollution. Some of the impacts of balloons in the marine environment include:

Dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds can all be killed by balloons. Turtles especially confuse balloons for jelly fish prey
Animals get entangled in balloon ribbons and strings which can restrict their movement and strangle them
Swallowed balloons (and other plastics in the marine environment) block animal's guts preventing them from feeding and eventually starving to death
Even biodegradable balloons can take months to years to break down so can still impact marine wildlife

To learn more about balloons and plastics in the marine environment (and things you can do to prevent them getting in the marine environment!) check out these webpages:

Friday, May 2, 2014

May 2, 2014: Dutch Highland Cow Calf...and more scenes from Rasterhoff Park and Den Helder!

365 Project, Day 178

Here is my day 178 submission to my 365Project:

We had to be up early this morning to head back to Den Helder from Sneek although that was no problem for me as I'm still a touch jet lagged and I even managed to get out for another early morning photo session. I was glad I did went because I came across a nice little group of Highland Cattle grazing in the park next to the hotel, Rasterhoff Park.

My shot of the day is a photo of a calf which was part of the group of highland cows, so sweet!