"See Life Paulagics trip out of Belmar on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 was a success...." a quote from Paul G. I wholeheartedly agree. A combination of calm sea's (for December) mild temperatures and partly cloudy day was indeed a photographers dream (Angus Wilson).
Being on a boat that can cruse at 20 mph is wonderful. With those powerful
diesels I would suggest
having a ear plugs. We left after six A.M. and at
daybreak we managed to met up with a fishing
boat.
Chumming started shortly and a slue of birds followed us just about all day.
Herring and
Greater Black-back were the most numerous but this Laughing Gull also made an appearance.
Heading East made photography at the fantail a pleasure, sun at your back.
Northern
Gannets gave plenty of opportunities to frame a pleasant background.
This was my first opportunity to capture an Iceland Gull in
flight.
Over 5,000 Black-legged Kittiwakes was a joy to see, I thought I was in
heaven. This picture is
representative of how they followed the bate fish
along with about 100 Common Dolphin. 
With so many kittiwakes you might think they would be easy to photograph.
All but 1-2 birds paid
no attention to the boat or it's chum. Before we
came across the 5,000 we only saw two kittiwakes and we kept count as if there
would be no other. Here is a picture of one.
I
was sitting down at
the fantail when this Greater Shearwater gave us just one pass. If you snooze
you loose.
I was unable to get a picture of a Dovekie but this one of a NJ Common
Murre will do.
Enjoy,
Chip Krilowicz