Photo ABCs

Northern Fur Seal

Another Northern Fur Seal, photographed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in June of this year.

Least Auklet

The Least Auklet, as its name implies, is the smallest of the North American alcids (upright penguin-like birds).

Here is one photographed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in June of this year.

This small bird is not only cute, it has cute names in other languages!

French: Starique minuscule.

Unangan (Aleut): Chuuchii.

(tap or click to enlarge)

 

 

Long-tailed Ducks

This male Long-tailed Duck made repeated amorous advances towards this female, despite the fact that she was caring for five chicks.

Perhaps in part due to his pestering, over the course of three visits to this pond on three consecutive days, her brood of chicks decreased from five to three to one.

Red-necked Phalarope

The Red-necked Phalarope breeds in the arctic or sub-arctic tundra.

Here is a male Red-necked Phalarope on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in June of this year.

Horned Puffin

A Horned Puffin, flying towards its cliffside perch on St. Paul Island, Alaska.

Photographed in June of this year.

Thick-billed Murre

The Thick-billed Murre is another northern-latitude alcid (penguin-like upright bird), which breeds on the cliffs of St. Paul Island, Alaska. It looks similar to the Common Murre (also found on St. Paul Island) but has a white stripe on its upper mandible and the white on its chest forms an inverted V pattern.

Photographed in June of this year.

Tufted Puffins

Tufted Puffins share a moment.

Photographed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in June of this year.

Tufted Puffin

Another photo of a Tufted Puffin, photographed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in June of this year.

Arctic Fox

What's going on with this fox?

This arctic fox is shedding its thick, golden, winter coat and transitioning into its brown, summer coat. It does look a little odd!

Photographed last month on St. Paul Island.

Parakeet Auklet

The Parakeet Auklet breeds in the Bering Sea from Alaska to Siberia, and in the Aleutian Islands, though can be found as far south as California in the winter.

Here is one photographed last month on St. Paul Island, Alaska.