Marbled Murrelets are one of the most common birds we see on our SE Alaska trips and are also one of our favorites. They nest up to 20 miles from the water in the tops of huge old growth trees. When their single chick fledges, it "must" make it all the way to the water on its first flight for its best chance for survival. The forest floor can be a cruel place for young birds. The parents seem very "devoted" to one another and forage together to get sand lance fish to take to their chick.
It takes them a little while to get airborne.
Finally making it into the air
In breeding plumage
Non-breeding "winter" plumage
With a meal for its chick
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