While not numerous, most trips encounter several marine animals. They may include Minke, killer, and humpback whales, the strange ocean sunfish, blue, thresher, and Mako sharks, northern fur seals, Risso's and Pacific white-sided dolphins, and Dall's porpoises riding the bow waves. Two hours after crossing the bar we are ready for our first chum stop. As soon as we start doling out our chum, Northern Fulmars and Western Gulls begin forming the nucleus of a feeding flock. Shearwaters fly around or land in the periphery of the flock, but are generally uninterested in our chum.
Jaegers pass through, taking aim primarily at the gulls.
Sabine's Gulls sometimes join the feeding flock as well, but are often only marginally interested in our chum. After 40 minutes, or so, we've attracted most of the seabirds within about a 5-mile radius. Sightings of new birds slow down. We use this opportunity to discuss the identification and natural history of the birds around the boat. The rocking motion of the boat as we sit makes some of the birders uncomfortable, so now is the time to start the engines and travel south to our second chum stop off Perpetua Bank.