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While walking on Ocean Beach last weekend, June and I came upon a women who was trying to save a stranded baby bird from the incoming tide and a bunch of curious dogs (not to mention a few idiotic humans). As it turned out, Susan had already called the rangers on her cell phone, and one was supposed to show up momentarily. While we waited, June and I held her two super-cute dogs, Tofu (a Jack Russell) and Tsunami (a Mini Poodle), while she moved the bird out of the way of the incoming tide by scooping it up with her jacket.

At first we were perplexed about just how exactly a baby bird like this could have even gotten this far out on the beach considering it didn’t have full grown wings yet. But now we think it might have been a Thick-Billed Murre, which is a species that leaves their natal colonies while still incapable of flight, jumping directly to the sea, resulting in significant mortality rates for the young birds. I guess this one ended up beached at O.B. after jumping into the ocean from the safety of its nest. Once the park ranger arrived, he confirmed that this happens from time to time, and they just check to make sure the bird is healthy, and then release them back into the calmer waters at China Beach. So, we hope the little one made out OK in the end!