Black Oystercatcher

The boat trip to Seldovia gave me another life bird: Black Oystercatcher. This was a pleasant surprise. I have seen its cousin American Oystercatcher several times back home, but I never really put two and two together to figure out that I might see a Black Oystercatcher while in Alaska. When the boat captain pointed them out on the way to Seldovia, and then took the time to give us a closer look, I fumbled between binoculars and camera...trying to decide whether to be a birdwatcher or a photographer. Luckily I had enough time to be both. I really love their carrot orange bill, and the yellow eye surrounded by the orange eye-ring.