Pomarine Jaeger

I never thought I'd have the chance to capture a headshot of this highly-pelagic species, but that unlikely opportunity materialized when this breeding plumage adult spent a few days on a beach near my apartment. Though the bird appeared healthy, it was probably tired or sick after a couple of very windy days. It did fly around quite a bit while I was there -- even chasing gulls and terns as a healthy example would be expected-- so I'm hoping it recovered and headed back out to sea after this amazing encounter.

Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, California, 8/18/21
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 7D Mark II
1/1600 at f/7.1, ISO 800