Black Oystercatcher, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska – Image 2718

I love the black oystercatcher’s colorful face which seems more tropical than Alaskan. But, it is a common shore bird along the rocky beaches of much of the sub-arctic Alaska. This bird sits on its nest which are usually found at the high tide line consisting of not much more than a swallow depression lined with small pebbles and shells. To protect their nesting sites the oystercatchers have elaborate behaviors such as false nesting and broken wing routines to steer one away from finding their nests. I have spent many hours trying to outwit these bird brains looking for their nests usually to no avail. This image appears in my photo book on the park: “Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska.” Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Once again as a reminder, I will be leading a small boat photo cruise in Glacier Bay National Park this coming summer with Dolphin Charters (www.dolphincharters.com), July 6-12, 2011. Come join me for a week-long cruise in the bay exploring Alaska. Camera body: F5, Lens: Nikkor 300mm f/4 Film: 35mm Velvia, ASA 50, digitally scanned© Mark Kelley