A good buddy and I took a long awaited trip to get out on the Stormy Petrel II for some Gulf Stream pelagic birding off Hatteras, North Carolina. The weather and the seas were ugly, the trips physically demanding, but we managed a few good birds:
Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus (love the scientifid name, maybe one of the most descriptive for an ocean dwelling bird) may be one of the most populous birds in the world, with an estimated population of >30 million individuals. They epitomize the name Petrel, for Saint Peter and walking on the water. Their long legs allow them to patter on the water surface looking for small food prey.
This is more what it looks like without a telephoto view, with many Wilson's Storm Petrels following the boat.
On the second pelagic trip, Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea were seen in good numbers and at close range.
The most anticipated birds of the trip were the Gadfly Petrels, or Pterodroma Petrels. We was two species:
Black-capped Petrels Pterodroma hasitata were abundant, and this shot shows their arcing flight, a part of dynamic soaring that these species are famous for utilizing.
Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana was the hoped for but unexpected Peterodroma. It came up from the stern of the boat incredibly fast and gave several close in flybys, but the waves rocking the boat made photography challenging.
On the ride back in we saw our only Sulid of the trip.
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra
Overall a good trip, with challenging weather.
