Cassin's Auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus
Cassin's Auklets are usually seen as small gray birds swimming rapidly away from a boat well out in the ocean. Above, one running away at an angle, and on nice smooth water -- thank you! The bird below has the distinctive white eye of this species in July breeding plumage; the bird above is in non-breeding plumage in September, with the eye darker. The white spot over the eye is a good mark for this bird in all plumages. Cassin's can be confused with the juvenile Rhinoceros Auklet, which is also small, gray and chunky, with a gray bill.
A rare view in nearly full profile; the dull yellow eye indicates non-breeding plumage, in October.