ML618830387
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Adult, Unknown sex - 1
Media notes
The first of two adult Common Murres in alternate plumage seen during this period photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 4 May 2024 in the Catalina Channel approximately midway between the 279-fathom Bank and the Lausen Sea Mount about 26 kilometers southwest of Dana Point at 33° 19’ 45.2” N, 117° 56’ 47.8” W, Orange County, California.
Observation details
We saw during this period two adult murres, both of which were in alternate plumage. Both birds were large alcids with elongate bodies, relatively short necks, medium-sized heads, and relatively slim bills that were raised above the horizontal as they tapered from a base of medium depth to a pointed tip. These birds were both a sooty-brown to dull blackish across the head, neck, upperparts, and closed wings, but white on what little of the underparts was visible above the waterline. I was further able to see that the white breast contrasted sharply with the dark throat and neck. The first murre seen today was approximately midway between the 279-fathom Bank and the Lausen Sea Mount about 26 kilometers southwest of Dana Point (33° 19’ 45.2” N, 117° 56’ 47.8” W), but the second bird was seen over the north end of the seamount about 28 kilometers west of Dana Point (33° 26’ 10.3” N, 118° 00’ 57.9” W).
Technical information
- Model
- ILCE-7RM5
- Lens
- FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
- ISO
- 320
- Focal length
- 559 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/6.3
- Shutter speed
- 1/2500 sec
- Dimensions
- 1812 pixels x 1047 pixels
- Original file size
- 2.98 MB