The biologists' harrowing first step from the Zodiac onto the island is a narrow ledge lined with gooseneck barnacles and California mussels. On each approach, one crew member must leap from the Zodiac, as it rides the cresting wave, onto the ledge and cling to the rock as the waves break over their boots. They adjust their helmets, harness themselves into rock climbing ropes and ascend the slick sides to finish constructing this year's colony. The piped in murre music carries across the cove. Parker tape recorded a murre colony on the Farallone Islands, and now loudspeakers blare the chorus perpetually.
Solar panels fuel marine rechargeable batteries to keep up the din.
Murres produce squawky, croaky calls. When they're really excited, they sound like they're playing the kazoo. Otherwise, the colony could look a bit lifeless. Boat captain Bob Ingals cocks his head and puts on a puzzled face to imitate an incoming murre greeting a decoy. The bearded, heavy captain looks a bit like a jolly Ernest Hemingway.