Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus

f5.6 @ 1/8000s, ISO:1250, Nikon D3S w 300mm and 1.7X teleconverter


"Northern Gannet," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. An adult northern gannet has a 170–180 cm (67–71 in) wingspan, and is 87–100 cm (34–39 in) long and weighs 2.3–3.6 kg (5.1–7.9 lb), making it the largest gannet and the largest seabird native to the western Palearctic.Northern gannets have streamlined bodies adapted for plunge-diving at high speed, including powerful neck muscles, and a spongy bone plate at the base of the bill. The nostrils are inside the bill and can be closed to prevent water entry; the eyes are protected by strong nictitating membranes. There are subcutaneous air sacs in the lower body and along the sides. Other air sacs are located between the sternum and the pectoral muscles and between the ribs and the intercostal muscles.
Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts
 
04/20/2021