A double-crested cormorant holds up its wings to dry. Unlike other seabirds, they don’t have waterproof feathers. With no air bubbles in their feathers to slow them down, waterlogged cormorants can dive faster and deeper for food!
@salishseaphotos.bsky.social
#Wild4Whales #DCCO #YYJBirds

Just under the surface is a baitball of very frightened feed fish—like herring—trying to avoid being eaten by feathered predators above and marine mammals below! As we move into fall, we'll see more and more of these moveable feasts!
Carol Limido Photography
#Wild4Whales #YYJBirds #Baitball

Tufted puffins are one of the target species on our Specialty Birdwatching Tours to Smith Island, southeast of Victoria.
@tomflip.bsky.social
Photo taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.
#Wild4Whales #TUPU #YYJBirds

This pigeon guillemot hit the jackpot with a Pacific snake prickleback firmly wedged in its beak. Guillemots dive up to 15 metres deep to get these eel-like fish!
Carol Limido Photography
All wildlife photos are taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.
#Wild4Whales #ExploreBC #YYJBirds

This gull has good reason to harass the bald eagle. It’s nesting season for gulls right now and there are many fuzzy little gull baby morsels to tempt a hungry bird of prey!
Chrystelle Côté Photography
#Wild4Whales #BaldEagle #YYJBirds #BAEA

We’ve spotted several brown pelicans recently, just to the west of Race Rocks. Pelicans are an unusual sight in the Salish Sea. This one was diving for small fish in Whirl Bay.
Shorelines Photography
#Wild4Whales #Pelican #YYJBirds

It’s breeding season for double-crested cormorants! These two males have claimed a nest and now it’s time to attract a female and raise a family. This ritualized posturing is apparently just what the girls are looking for!
Shorelines Photography
#Wild4Whales #Cormorant #YYJBirds

It’s that time of year again, when a rhinoceros auklet’s thoughts turn to making baby auklets. This pair is getting acquainted!
@salishseaphotos.bsky.social
#Wild4Whales #RHAU #YYJBirds