Pic of the Day

Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus (4th year bird):  Bonaventure Island; Perce', Quebec

     Gannets and Boobies are world wide birds.  They live on and around the oceans of the world from the North Atlantic to Australia, across the Indian Ocean to South Africa.  All Gannets and Boobies are gregarious, and all nest in colonies on small islands.  When not on nesting grounds, Gannets roost at sea, and Boobies roost primarily on land.
     Both Gannets and Boobies are diving birds. They feed by plunging head first, from heights of 50 feet or more, and plunge at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour into the water.  Once underwater they use their wings to swim, chase fish and return to the surface to take flight.
     The old Cornish name for the Gannet is “Saithor”, which means “arrow”.   The name could not be more appropriate.  Watching a flock of Gannets fall from the sky is like watching an entire quiver of arrows being plunged into the sea.
     This Northern Gannet was photographed as it soared over the seaward cliffs of Bonaventure Island off the coast of Perce', Quebec.  The remnant black secondary wing feathers indicate that this is a 4^th year bird.

To learn more about the Northern Gannet go to:
http://birds.audubon.org/birds/northern-gannet

To learn more about Gannets and Boobies go to: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulidae

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f2.8, 1/800 second @ f9