Ospreyers: The St. Mary's County Kelp Gull was seen at first light on Thursday, February 18, 1999, on the pilings behind the Sea Breeze Restaurant. It was alternating between the Sea Breeze and the Sandgates Inn when I left at 7:40 a.m. Several birders were still watching the bird, which once sat obligingly in front of a Great Black-backed Gull. Despite the rain, the lighting was actually good, the only feature not as visible was the bright orange-red eye ring - it was visible, but not as vibrant as in sunlight. The rain didn't seem to be affecting its behavior at all. However, if the gull called this morning, its sound was lost in the rain beating down on our humble heads. Jane Kostenko smcage1@mail.ameritel.net (work) jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us (home) California, MD