I sort of hate it when a bird I've never seen before is called "Common ..." but since we saw hundreds and hundreds of this bird on a tour of Katchemak Bay it's apparent that "Common Murre" is an appropriate name.
What's definitely not common is this bird's ability to "walk" -- or more aptly, "dance" on the water.
That is such an amazing behavior to watch.
Here's a closer look.
__________
Below is a look at some other common -- or maybe not so common -- birds. We saw hundreds of these two kinds of birds on the piece of floating real-estate called (surprise) "Gull Island".
If these birds have a round black spot on the bottom of their wings, then they are Kittiwakes - a bird found pretty much only in Alaska (according to our tour guide).
If they have no black spot, then they are a glaucous-winged gull found in pretty much every landfill in every state (again according to our guide, but we all know this). I have seen the black spot clearly several times, but it is definitely harder to get excited about this lifer.
This boat trip from Homer to the little island village of Seldovia was a great experience.
Other birds we saw (not lifers) included puffins, oystercatchers, eagles -- more eagles -- there are so many of them in Alaska (I'll have a post about that another week).
And, though the picture below isn't about birds, I think most birders enjoy viewing all wildlife, so just because I love these guys, I think I 'otter' end this way:
FOR WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY. Thank you Stuart.
What's common to some is not so common to others. Well except for the gulls maybe.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 10, 2014 at 06:03 PM
They are most certainly NOT common to me! I love otters!
Nice pics Sallie.
Posted by: Pat | July 08, 2014 at 08:53 PM
That heart-shaped hole in the rock is the best.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | July 04, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Lovely birds.
Posted by: Janice | July 03, 2014 at 09:01 PM
Love seeing all the birds and the otter too.
Posted by: Carver | July 03, 2014 at 02:28 PM
I agree about the term common
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | July 03, 2014 at 01:57 PM
You are in a fabulous place Sallie. The Arctic Circle is a place I'd love to visit and bird 24 hours. Ivan almost hear those Kittiwakes from here.
Posted by: phil | July 03, 2014 at 12:42 PM
Hi, Sallie; I checked the murre and found that it meand literally 'sea crow' ;-) And I LOVED you introduced that this bird's ability to walk and dance on the water(^_^)ｖ
So lovely to see the puffin and the cute otters as well.
Sending you lots of love and hugs to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | July 03, 2014 at 01:49 AM
lovely photos, your murres look very like our guillemots, i wonder if they're the same bird with different names?
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | July 03, 2014 at 12:52 AM
Great pictures of what looks like an exciting trip!
Posted by: Marie | July 02, 2014 at 05:37 PM
That's a lot of birds!
Posted by: Al | July 02, 2014 at 04:40 PM
They are not common to me...I have never seen them! Thank you for this post...they are wonderful!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | July 02, 2014 at 03:23 PM
I saw these birds in Scotland and I loved them all. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | July 02, 2014 at 01:56 PM
Years ago, I saw the bird who walks on water in one of the Disney films. What great fun to see them in person.
Posted by: Dianne | July 02, 2014 at 12:11 PM
Hi there, thanks for all your recent comments whilst I was away in Italy, as always much appreciated. I am just as much in awe of your photography skills when it comes to birds.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | July 02, 2014 at 11:26 AM
They sure look like they are enjoying the weather.
Posted by: Lady Lilith | July 02, 2014 at 07:38 AM
Lovely birds. I love the puffin, so unusual-looking!
Hubby's managing prostate cancer, thanks for asking. He had it removed but they didn't get all of it.
The main problem is his stomach, right now. I feel so badly for him.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | July 02, 2014 at 06:38 AM
There is a great variety of seabirds! I admire your knowledge of all those birds.
Thanks for showing.
Have a wonderful summer.
Thanks for your comment. Yes there are still so many people afraid of foreigners. There used to be the Red Peril and the Yellow Peril. It's offensive and stupid of course!
Wil, ABCW Team
Posted by: Reader Wil | July 01, 2014 at 10:53 PM
How neat to see so many birds! And there's my fave, cute little puffin!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | July 01, 2014 at 06:50 PM
I'm so jealous of the puffin!!! I long to see that bird someday. :) I know what you mean about the word "common" to describe a bird. That's what I thought when I saw the common yellowthroat. I was like, huh? This is beautiful! Anyway, glad you are seeing lots of birds and reporting back here. It gives me inspiration that one day I will see them.
Posted by: Gail | July 01, 2014 at 02:13 PM
Sallie, it is neat seeing the large group of Murres. I love the puffin and the cute otters. Great post, awesome sightings.
Posted by: Eileen | July 01, 2014 at 02:06 PM
every one is very uncommon to me!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 01, 2014 at 01:32 PM
Wonderful birds and I love the otters as well.
Posted by: Gunilla | July 01, 2014 at 12:50 PM
OHHH Lovely! The Muirs look like perfect carvings every feather in place sooo smooth! And the otters are way too cute for words!!
Posted by: Sondra | July 01, 2014 at 12:16 PM
Hi. Great variety of birds in this post. In Northern Ireland breed on different island. A lovely gull. The otter shots are great.
Posted by: Margaret | July 01, 2014 at 11:43 AM
The variety of your blogs is amazing! Incidentally, Kittiwakes ARE found in (North) Scotland too.
Posted by: Hazel | July 01, 2014 at 11:31 AM