Sunday afternoon, while approaching the beach at Golden Gardens in my sea
kayak, I came across a small gray bird near shore in just a few feet of
water. My first thought was that it was a rhino auklet, swimming away from
me. As I got closer I got a better view from the side, and it was scarcely
longer than it was broad; it was a tiny gray fluffball, with a much more
diminutive bill than a rhino auklet. It wasn't much bigger than my fist,
and was so close I easily could have scooped it up with my kayak paddle. I
got a good brief look before it spread its wings and dove. After consulting
field guides, I think it was a Cassin's auklet. I'm used to seeing rhinos,
marbled murrelets, and guillemots; this bird was a surprise.

A pair was reported in Whatcom County last week by Victor Burgett.

My apologies for this second post, I keep forgetting to change to plain
text.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA