White-chinned Petrel

We saw dozens of these on this pelagic trip, many swooping passed the boat for photos, but this is the only individual that gave me direct eye contact. I like the downstroke pose because it shows the characteristic long wings, and I'm happy we can see the trademark white chin against the dark wing; had I captured the upstroke, it would be more difficult to see that field mark against the light sky. I'be become familiar with this species in New Zealand, Chile, and South Africa, so I'll be on the look-out for an out-of-range example on California pelagic trips in the future. There are two records to date, so maybe I'll be able to spot a third.

Cape Town Pelagic, Western Cape, South Africa, 7/31/22
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II on EOS R5
1/2500 at f/5.6, ISO 1000