A Florida Pelagic Adventure: July Atlantic

Comfortable conditions for pelagic birding are apparently hard to come by after experiencing my second trip into the Atlantic off the coast of Florida on 21 July 2013.

The light buoy above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

Michael Brothers's pelagic fund raising efforts for The Marine Science Center at Ponce de León Inlet are scheduled periodically throughout the year, and made with favorable weather conditions. The lead image for this article was photographed upon the return from the Tuna Grounds across the Gulf Stream. I debated whether or not to rotate the image which I chose to do.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Short-finned Pilot Whale above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Wilson's Storm-Petrel above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Wilson's Storm-Petrel above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Wilson's Storm-Petrel above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

After passing through a wicked thunderstorm the waves were still a little rough while I photographed the image using a tripod which seemed to be of interest to a few of my fellow participants. An Induro AT413 tripod, replacing two failed Gitzo 5541 tripods (saltwater corrosion), has thus far been used with great satisfaction.

The Wilson's Storm-Petrel above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

Michael notes that spotting scopes are not a particularly good choice for observing pelagic birds while on the water. In my case I was using the Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II which allows virtual gyroscopic control. The three to five foot waves and higher made it difficult to utilize this feature effectively far out at sea.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

All images for this article were captured at 600mm using a Canon 1D Mark IV camera. With the subjects typically at a great distance from the boat, all images have been cropped, sometimes rotated and brightened, and processed for sharpening. An effort was made to photograph anything that moved. Greater a chance to catch a rarity or create a better image.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

It was interesting to speak with co-leaders Wes Biggs and John Hintermister on the trip. Wes told a story among many of a bald eagle decapitated by Peregrine Falcon for the apparent fun of it while making observations in Delaware. Wes further spoke of the local Florida opportunities in detail especially in the Dry Tortugas (a trip I hope to make in 2014).

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Cory's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

John filled me in on what can be expected on the "Road to Nowhere" as well as at other venues along The Great Florida Birding Trail in the West Section. He particularly emphasized opportunities at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle Section. Both John and Wes proved themselves to be extremely colorful individuals.

The Audubon's Shearwater above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Sooty Tern above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The sunset above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean off Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Ponce de León Inlet Light above was photographed in the Atlantic Ocean at Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The Ponce de León Inlet Light above was photographed at Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

Michael noted that he is working on his report of the unprecedented late 2012 and early 2013 Florida Razorbill invasion.

The Bridge Tender above was photographed at Ponce de León Inlet in July 2013.

The scene above was photographed at Ponce de León Inlet aboard the Pastime Princess at 1/30 second, 600mm, ISO 2500 in July 2013 returning from a pelagic trip to the tuna grounds.

Please see: A Pelagic Adventure: Dark And Stormy Article I