En route to the tropics

 

I'm at a meeting, but here's another image from the boat trip to Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank on 9 October 2016.  This is an immature Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini).  We were very fortunate that Captain Rick was able to maneuver the boat into position for wonderful, close-up views of this pelagic gull.

For comparison, the photo below shows the Black-legged Kittiwake (see last night's post) and the Sabine's Gull in the same view.  

 

Sabine's Gulls nest in the Arctic, but winter in the tropics and subtropics.  Not such a bad way to spend the year!

P.S.  For views of adult Sabine's Gulls, and a little more information about them, review the post from 3 September 2013.