Early morning flight

 

Just a quick shot of some Pacific Loons (Gavia pacifica), and one Common Murre (Uria aalge), heading north today.  There was an impressive movement of birds this morning, with a steady stream of loons visible off Bodega Head.  Can you spot the murre?

(The murre is the second bird from the left — smaller than the loons, with an all dark head.)

Last April I wrote a little bit above loon movements along the coast, so if you'd like to read that post, click here.

Can you tell it was windy when I took today's picture?  It was blowing about 14 mph out of the northwest, and the wind just kept picking up all day.  By 5:30 p.m., the ocean looked like this:

 

Spring in Blow-dega Bay!