Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) arrive at Race Rocks for the winter in mid-November. They usually spend their time feeding in the kelp beds around Race Rocks. One does not often see them on shore like this, but it could be that these were here because a sea lion was swimming in the area just before they came ashore. They could be easy prey when on the water or when swimming down to get their food on the bottom. LBPC student Michael Kiprop had seen them out in the kelp bed and had gone down to the shore to get some video. While he was assembling the tripod they came ashore a few meters from where he was standing.

See the Harlequin Duck Taxonomy page: