1. Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens, adult in breeding plumage, Tomales Bay, Marin County, California, USA, February 28, 2004. This bird is acquiring breeding plumage. Note the facial skin in becoming bright red and the white thigh patch is now visible. The nominate form is found in Northeast Asia, the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Carl Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL with 20-60x eyepiece (@20x); 30mm; 1/742, f4.9, ISO 200.

2. Pelagic Cormorant P. p. resplendens, adult in breeding plumage, Tomales Bay, Marin County, California, USA, February 28, 2004. A different individual, note how intensely colored the facial skin is on this bird. Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Carl Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL with 20-60x eyepiece (@20x); 32mm; 1/144, f6.5, ISO 200.

3. Pelagic Cormorant P. p. resplendens, adult in non-breeding plumage, Tomales Bay, Marin County, California, USA, February 28, 2004. Note the very dark color of the facial skin. Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Carl Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL with 20-60x eyepiece (@20x); 20mm; 1/496, f4.9, ISO 200.

4. Pelagic Cormorant P. p. resplendens, juvenile/first year, Tomales Bay, Marin County, California, USA, February 28, 2004. The plumage of first year birds is dark brown rather than glossy black. Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Carl Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL with 20-60x eyepiece (@20x); 15mm; 1/933, f4.2, ISO 200.