Back again to the Marin/Sonoma coast, headed for Bodega Bay. It was another undesirably glorious day, with a bit of mist and atmosphere as we started out from the city, and then blue skies repeatedly opening up in front of us. I really do want some rain, but it seems almost sinful to sit inside when it's clear and warm.
We went out to Bodega Head first, hoping to see some alcids just off shore (murrelets, murres and guillemots) but we damn near got blown off the rocks. After about five minutes of that we said I thought this was supposed to be fun and packed in for calmer areas.
The bay was lovely and quite birdy. One of the biggest treats was the huge number of brant out on the water. Unfortunately, they were pretty far off shore most of the time, so no good pix. Still, it was awesome to see several hundred (at the very least) out there... I've never seen quite so many.
Bird, watching, at Bodega Bay.
Lots of scoters, lots of gulls, lots of shorebirds, lots of ducks, lots of grebes, lots of cormies, lots of loons. Lots of loons - mostly common, but some Pacific and red-throated as well. (Last year there was a yellow-billed here as well.) They came in very close to shore and even among the docks of the various marinas. My friend had one pop up practically beneath her feet on one dock.
Not sure what this was about, but this loon was cruising along in this "crouched" position.
It wasn't super high tide, but there were still birds out of the water on every pier and piling in sights. Bodega does have tourists, to be sure, but it's still very much a working harbor as well.
The rocks around the harbor were covered with birds, as well. There were groups of Dunlin everywhere, and they were remarkably unconcerned with humans.
A closer look at another set of rocks revealed that the "stones" were wall-to-wall godwits and willets on a beach.
... and that huge swarm of birds was made up of thousands of individuals, each of them cutting a dashing figure if given a chance for a solo appearance.
The quiet of the flock was shattered by a threat from above - a peregrine, perhaps? No, actually a helicopter. But they all took flight just the same and provided a great kinetic spectacle.
Soon everyone was able to relax again, and it was time to soak up the sun on a beautiful day, in a beautiful place... birds and humans alike.