On and over the waves

 

We encountered a few nice flocks of Sabine's Gulls (Xema sabini) during the pelagic trip to Bodega Canyon and beyond on 23 May 2021.

Here are a few shots on the water, and a few shots in flight.  Be sure to look for the nice black edge to the dark gray hood, and the yellow tip on the bill.  Some birds haven't molted into breeding plumage yet, so have smudgy gray heads and dark bills.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are such pretty gulls, especially in flight when their striking upperwing pattern is visible against the waves :

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  For a little more information about Sabine's Gulls, you can check out the post from 3 September 2013.