Mist nets and decoys were used to capture male and female harlequin ducks. The floating mist net design was copied from one used to capture seabirds. A two-net, three panel set was placed inshore and over-wintering harlequin ducks were then found and put to flight by biologists zooming around in inflatable skiffs. The birds could not be truly herded; the decoys were essential to attract the flying birds.

The mist net poles were supported by floats, disguised as harlequin ducks, arranged around a central hub. A heavy lead weight was attached to the hub for stability, and a strong bottom line attached the three hubs.

Two biologists in the skiff hauled the floating mist net off shore while a biologist retained hold of a line attached to the landward end of the net. The latter job could be an adventure on days with rough seas. The boat crew dropped an anchor and the biologist on land hauled in until the net was taut, and then tied off the line. The biologist on land hid and notified the boat crew via radio when ducks landed near the decoy. The skiff would then approach the ducks and attempt to push them into the net.

ç Once then net was anchored offshore, the skiff crew lowered the net and set out free-floating decoys.

The è weather during this two-week trip was pretty bad. Every kind of precipitation known managed to fall.

A blood sample was taken from all captured birds for hematology, serum chemistry and leukocyte P450 RNA determinations.

Surgeries were done inside the charter boat, the Discovery. This was certainly the most comfortable field surgery arrangement I've had. As always, we used isoflurane as an anesthetic. Ellie Mather, who by now has done hundreds of harlequin duck anesthesias, did her usual excellent job of keeping the birds alive.

One of the unique aspects of doing surgeries in the field is that you usually end up using space that is dedicated to other purposes. Here is a picture of a biologist eating dinner at the table on which I'm doing surgery.

After a mid-line incision was made, a small piece of liver was isolated using a curved hemostat and was excised. The cut edge of the liver was crushed using the hemostat to control bleeding. No suturing was necessary. A two layer closure completed the surgery.

A male harlequin duck recovers from surgery.

Harlequin ducks eat limpets and other invertebrates, Occasionally, ducks are found "parasitized" by their prey. This view is of the inside of the upper bill.

Our activities in the field on this trip were ably supervised by "Copper", a golden retriever who owns one of the biologists, Tim Bowman. Copper was especially concerned with the well-being of the seals who, while they looked like dogs, had the disturbing habit of disappearing under water, and were clearly in need of rescue by a retriever.