Back in March 2011, I was out with a friend at the edge of the kelp patch near Low Island and saw a lone bird I did not recognize. From a distance it appeared to have something of a scoter-like profile – at least the head a bill. However, it was much too pale for any scoter I’ve ever seen. We tried to get a little closer with the boat, but unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures until the bird had started flying away. The three I have here are the best of the batch.
In my own perusal of the bird book(s), I did not find any matches. I had thought maybe an eider of some sort (due to the profile), but the overall grayness didn’t seem to match – at least not those shown in the bird book.
It’s no doubt a long shot, but I figured I would post the photos and see if anyone can get an id on this bird.
