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Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Above and below eight: We had close-up looks at hundreds of gannets while aboard this December 11, 2004 pelagic out of Lewes, Delaware (all photos in DE waters). A frenzy of plunge-diving, seen in the last of the photos above, is always a thrill - even if seasick trips to the stern are the price for the excitement.
Below: Northern Gannets entertained us with their plunge-dives, occasionally joining the gulls in the wake of the boat (2/5/2011).
Below: A first-year Northern Gannet around its first birthday. Note the freshly molted inner primaries. Photographed on a "Poor Man's Pelagic" aboard the Judith M out of Ocean City, Maryland (5/30/2009).
Comments: The Northern Gannet, closely related to boobies, winters over the Atlantic ocean from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. During its stay, it can often be observed close to the shore. Sea watches in Maryland can often tally over 1,000 individuals in November.