Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata, getting a running start as it takes off across the water. San Diego Bay, California. These sea ducks are here every Winter but will return to Alaska around March.

Suft Scoter

Surf Scoter or "skunk-duck"; Melanitta perspicillata. Found these guys hovering around the Imperial Beach pier during a very low tide. They were diving for seaweed off the bottom. I first saw these ducks up in the Prince William Sound in Alaska. Ironically, after spending all that money to go up to Alaska to see the wildlife, I find that the birds, at least, spend their Winters in San Diego. Go figure.