Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Pelagic Cormorants and More

I thought that the birds we saw at Point Lobos deserved their own post.
My images don't do justice to the pelagic cormorant.  It's black feathers glisten with a blue green sheen in the sun.
It's amazing, the tiny ledges these colonial birds choose for there nests.
A larger ledge would have several nests.
Those not sitting on the nests could often be seen sunning themselves on the rocks below.
 Of course, there were other birds as well.  Brown Pelicans skimmed over the water.
Common Merganser
I enjoy watching mergansers, one instant they are floating on the water and the next they are gone, diving for dinner. 
red breasted merganser hen
 The red breasted merganser was a new bird for me as was the pelagic cormorant
While this image is poor I think it is good enough to identify a horned grebe, another new species for me.  Point Lobos is a wonderful place to enjoy natures variety.

More birds can be found by going to World Bird Wednesday, hosted for us by Springman.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Great sightings!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Gaelyn said...

Nice you got to add some lifers to your bird list.

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful images of your lovely birds Martha..

biebkriebels said...

Beautiful photos of amazing birds.

Diane AZ said...

It is fun to discover birds that we've never seen before, and the camera sure does help. Incredible to see the cormorant nests on the ledges!

mick said...

Very interesting photos of the nests on the cliffs. I think you did a great job showing the sheen on the cormorant in that first photo!

Fjällripan said...

Such a great day! Beautiful photos of these interesting birds!

EG CameraGirl said...

Your cormorants are quite different from ours, I need to post those photos some day soon. I love watching mergansers too.

Carletta said...

Those cormorants must enjoy perching precariously. :)
Their lustrous colors remind me of a Grackle.
Your shot of the pelican flying over that blue water is lovely!

Unknown said...

I am thrilled to see these pictures! They are really lovely! Great job!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Yes, great birds there as well! Make me even more eager to go there someday.

Vores have said...

Great pictures you show.
Wishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

HansHB said...

Nice shots, a great post for WBW!
Happy World Bird Wednesday to you!

Katney said...

You get amazing bird shots.

Springman said...

Fantastic sights!
;-)WBW!

Janie said...

It is amazing to see those tiny ledge nests. Great bird shots!