| May Lee |
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Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research
Reserve Ecological Boat Ride
Reserve Ecological Boat Ride
Often seeing water birds and wildlife is most efficient with an ecological boat ride. Not only you get access to the wildlife,
the captain or guide will find them and identify them. The Skimmer of Cape May is such case and I enjoyed many rides
from them and learned a lot. Elkhorn Slough is one area undisturbed for wildlife for decades. The afternoon ride was
very rewarding.
the captain or guide will find them and identify them. The Skimmer of Cape May is such case and I enjoyed many rides
from them and learned a lot. Elkhorn Slough is one area undisturbed for wildlife for decades. The afternoon ride was
very rewarding.
Before we leave the
pier, we saw cormorants
sunning themselves on
the rails.
pier, we saw cormorants
sunning themselves on
the rails.
There are many species of Cormorants, they
are all black with slight differences.
This is a Brandt's Cormorant. The white
plumes on back and face is only visible early
in the mating season.
are all black with slight differences.
This is a Brandt's Cormorant. The white
plumes on back and face is only visible early
in the mating season.
The most difficult to see
sign during the mating
season is the cobalt blue
throat pouch. This was a
lucky catch.
sign during the mating
season is the cobalt blue
throat pouch. This was a
lucky catch.
Double crested
Cormorants have
orange skin
underneath the bill.
The immatures are
lighter in color.
Cormorants have
orange skin
underneath the bill.
The immatures are
lighter in color.
Sea Otters are
mammals float on their
back. They often use a
rock to break open
shellfish to eat. They do
this while floating on
sea.
mammals float on their
back. They often use a
rock to break open
shellfish to eat. They do
this while floating on
sea.
This one was tagged for
research purpose.
Sea Otter gets old too,
their hair turn white too.
research purpose.
Sea Otter gets old too,
their hair turn white too.
A Great Egret.
Three snowy Egrets in
breeding plumage.
breeding plumage.
A Wimbrel is feeding in the mud flat.
Beautiful Harbor Seal.
They are light colored
with spots which
differentiates the brown
coat of Sea LIons. Their
fore flippers though
clawed are not as
strong as that of Sea
Lions.
They are light colored
with spots which
differentiates the brown
coat of Sea LIons. Their
fore flippers though
clawed are not as
strong as that of Sea
Lions.
I can easily believe that
it was a mermaid.
it was a mermaid.
Foster Tern in winter
plumage.
plumage.
Buffleheads. The
female has a white spot
lower back of the eye.
The male has a white
patch between the eyes
around the back.
female has a white spot
lower back of the eye.
The male has a white
patch between the eyes
around the back.
Marbled Godwit with a slightly
upturned long bill.
upturned long bill.
Long-billed Curlew's
long bill is turned down.
long bill is turned down.
American Avecets in
winter plumage
winter plumage
American Avecets
winter plumage closer
up.
winter plumage closer
up.
These two American
Avecets started to take
on summer plumage.
Avecets started to take
on summer plumage.
This baby Harbor Seal
is cute.
is cute.
Western Grebe,
beautiful red eyes.
beautiful red eyes.
Good old Mallards are
here too.
here too.
A couple of red-breasted
Merganser. The male is
feeding head down.
Merganser. The male is
feeding head down.