Female King (Queen ) Eider. Unbelievable that this was on the beach hanging out with gulls! I heard about a King Eider in this area, but didn't hear that it was ON the beach. I went over and started scoping the ocean, looking all over and way out where I normally would look for sea-going ducks. Finally aggravated as I saw nothing unusual, I started walking further down the beach as I remember hearing something about the 2nd jetty. I began walking toward it and there were a number of gulls on the beach. As I was walking around them, I noticed one duck. I nearly dismissed it as a female Mallard!!! I don't know why she was here. She didn't seem injured, but was a LONG way from home. Normally we don't see Eiders here 'til Winter and even then, these sightings are uncommon for this species. They breed in the Arctic tundra and summer there as well, only venturing south during the Winter and never on beaches to my knowledge!!! Truly a special find. Made my day!!!