Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast (Princeton Field Guides)

Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast (Princeton Field Guides)

Language: English

Pages: 56

ISBN: 0691166137

Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub


Two-thirds of our planet lies out of sight of land, just offshore beyond the horizon. What wildlife might you find out there? And how might you identify what you see? This Offshore Sea Life ID Guide, designed for quick use on day trips off the West Coast, helps you put a name to what you see, from whales and dolphins to albatrosses, turtles, and even flyingfish. Carefully crafted color plates show species as they typically appear at sea, and expert text highlights identification features. This user-friendly field guide is essential for anyone going out on a whale-watching or birding trip, and provides a handy gateway to the wonders of the ocean.

  • First state-of-the-art pocket guide to offshore sea life
  • Over 300 photos used to create composite plates
  • Includes whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds, sharks, turtles, flyingfish, and more
  • Accessible and informative text reveals what to look for
  • Great for beginners and experts alike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n., cen., s., etc. We use the La n abbrevia on cf. for ‘compare with.’ Introduc on What do the following have in common? Majes c albatrosses sailing effortlessly over the ocean, huge whales sliding through the waves, silvery flyingfish shoo ng out from a ship’s bow over glassy blue waters. Well, for the most part, you can’t see them from shore. You’ll need to experience these offshore wonders on a boat trip, o en called a ‘pelagic trip’ by birdwatchers. This iden fica on guide uses composite

approach the surface). The amazingly deep submarine canyon in Monterey Bay and the seamount known as Cordell Bank are two reasons the central California coast is such a hotspot for marine life. Crab for dinner again? Sea O ers (like this mother and young) are an endearing feature of the Monterey area, but they are inshore creatures ed to the coastal kelp forests—so we don’t consider them as offshore sea life. 8 Another important upwelling region, where underwater currents run into topography, is

singly or in small groups, o en moving quickly; can be difficult to keep track of. On occasion can be seen hun ng seals or whales, pu ng on a spectacular if bloody show. 14 Whales splash a er breach blow variable pectoral flippers waving fluke pa ern highly variable lumpy, variable dorsal fin Humpback Whale (HUWH) blowholes The staple of many whale-watching businesses. Occurs mainly Apr–Oct, especially fall, but can be seen in any month. Well known for ac ve displays at the surface,

dis nc ve but variable. In Pacific Northwest, rare hybrids with Harbor Porpoise show intermediate features. Harbor Porpoise (HAPO) Fairly common but inconspicuous small porpoise of cooler inshore waters and dal rips from cen. CA northward, at mes s. to Point Concep on. Found singly or in small groups. O en seen from shore, rolling just beyond the breakers; unlikely to be seen far offshore. ‘Hershey’s Kiss’ dorsal fin lacks white p of Dall’s Porpoise fin. Usually surfaces 2-3 mes before

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Storm-Petrels: Tiny birds, like bats or swallows; fly low over the sea . . . 32 Phalaropes: Small sandpipers that swim, o en in flocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Alcids: Stocky, heavy-bodied diving birds like small ducks; flight low and direct; do not glide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Tropicbird: Like a fancy large tern; southern CA only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Booby: Large and streamlined, dives

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