A bit of sun finally breaking thru the clouds made these rather normally dull looking birds really shine.


Many species were in breeding plumage or in the transition including Red-necked, Eared and Horned Grebes, Pelagic Cormorants and Common Loons viewed at Drayton Harbor today.




https://flic.kr/p/25sTbKe - Pelagic Cormorants

[cid:5060f1f3-7f5f-4684-84ce-cc84c51220b0]Pelagic Cormorant<https://flic.kr/p/25sTbKe>
Shown here are 3 in breeding plumage and one immature. The normally dark patch of skin around the eye turns a magenta. Also, white thighs and scattered white filoplumes during the breeding season can be seen on the head and neck are visible on the center bird. These birds have the highest flight cost of any bird. The short wings are however very good underwater. They can dive up to 100 feet to feed in coastal waters on the sea bottom. Drayton Harbor, Blaine WA USA

[https://farm1.staticflickr.com/784/40998335371_c24c609943_b.jpg] <https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/40998335371/>
[https://farm1.staticflickr.com/784/40998335371_c24c609943_b.jpg]






https://flic.kr/p/Hkb7YW - Horned Grebes



Eric Ellingson
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