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Garrett Lau | all galleries >> Nature >> birds >> Birds by Type >> Ducks, Geese, Swans >> Surf Scoter > Surf Scoter with oil on chest
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11-NOV-2007 Garrett Lau

Surf Scoter with oil on chest

Shoreline at Mountain View, California

This Surf Scoter appears to have oil on its chest. It reared up as if to flap its wings but didn't flap them. It was in Shoreline Lake in Mountain View, 35 miles from the Bay Bridge, which the Cosco Busan oil tanker ran into on November 7.


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Garrett Lau19-Nov-2007 04:08
Yes. I didn't notice the oil until I looked at the photo at home. The bird drew my attention because it repeatedly reared up. I pointed my camera at it, expecting it to flap its wings, but it never did.
Maria 19-Nov-2007 03:04
It's very useful to see this image. Most people, casually walking by, woudn't ascertain that the bird is oiled and indeed, will likely die soon from exposure, since the feathers are no longer serving the purpose of warming the animal, and apparently, if the wings are not working, it has a greatly proscribed range of activity, probably no diving after fish etc.