Skirmishes from Seabed to Surface

While waiting for the spring bird migration to start in earnest I've spent some time on the shoreline trying for a closer look at sea life. Once in awhile it's possible to photograph creatures or events normally submerged, or too distant for clarity. Diving birds in their quest for food are the main actors in these dramas.

Red-breasted Merganser with captured Rock Gunnel

I've never seen nor heard of a Rock Gunnel, this eel-like denizen of rocky coastal waters. Mergansers have the eyesight to find and skill set to retrieve it from the benthic zone. Then it has to figure out how to swallow the writhing mass of muscle.

Common Loon with flounder

This loon has also succeeded in its deep-water hunt and is confronted with an improbable ingestion challenge.

Its first step is to subdue the prey.

Operating without forelimbs the loon has to be quick and lethal to head off the fish's escape.

Swallowing that paddle-shaped fish stretched the probabilities of anatomy for the incredulous observer.

For the loon it was a satisfying well-earned meal.

Female Common Eider with crab

One misty day there hardly seemed to be enough light for underwater foraging. A pair of eiders hunted for crabs in fairly shallow water.

Male Eider coming to the rescue

No sooner did Mrs. Eider bring up a crab than an opportunistic gull descended to snatch it from her mouth.

Her consort charged in just a tad too late to prevent the pilferage.

The Herring Gull now has the crab

In nature there is no appeal to a court of justice, and no mercy for the crab. The sated gull flew off and the eiders went back to work.