Harbor Seals

Harbor Seals are widespread along coasts and islands of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific.

Some were molting but their coats are variably tan to silver with scattered dark spots, or dark with light rings.

They haul out on ice, cobble and sandy beaches, tidal flats sandbars and rocky reefs.

Except for a strong bond between mothers and pups, these seals are generally intolerant of close contact with other seals.

Looks promising?

Brown Bears, SE Alaska: July, 2018

Brown Bears in Glacier Bay National Park

This bear appeared to “enjoy” a dip in the cool mountain stream

before lumbering by us as we watched.

It’s so nice to watch animals in the wild when our presence is not altering their behavior in any way and they sort of ignore us (though we know that they know exactly where we are and who’s in control).

SE Alaska: July, 2018

Steller Sea Lions on the Marble Islands in Glacier Bay NP

Bull male Steller Sea Lion showing scars from previous fights to maintain his dominance

Mama Sea Otter with her pup riding on her belly

Parent American Robin with its chick.  The robin is the state bird of both Connecticut and Michigan.

American Pipit near Reid Glacier

These birds feed on insects on the edges of tundra puddles, and in alpine meadows they typically visit unmelted snowbanks.  Warm air rising from valleys along the glaciers transports insects to high altitudes where most of them die and are frozen, providing food for the pipits.

Pigeon Guillemots are one of the few members of the auk and puffin family to lay two eggs.  Nearly all others lay only one egg.

Harlequin Ducks, males and females

Orange-crowned Warbler

This species is divided into four subspecies that differ not only in plumage but also in color, size, and molt patterns.

Adult male Brown Bear

Cooling off in a cold mountain stream on a hot day

Glacier Bay NP: July 18

This Male Brown Bear waded into the river, submerged his head and started blowing bubbles.

A majestic scenery behind this coastal bear.

After finishing his morning toilette he proceeded to enter and cross the stream.

Then he proceeded in a non-challanted manor sauntering slowly by our group essentially paying us no attention at all.

He was a very healthy-looking bear, especially since he had not been out of hibernation long and the berries aren’t ripe yet and the salmon haven’t returned yet to spawn so his diet consists of whatever he can catch to eat.  Some 80% of heir diet consists of plant material.

Feeding along the intertidal zone at low tide looking for crabs, clams,and other invertebrates.

This young bear was having a salad lunch on sedge grasses.

Running after fish

Truisms

SE Alaska: July 2018

Harlequin Ducks

Marbled Murrelet

Tufted Puffin

Acrobatic Steller Sea Lions 

Lots of tester one among these young males

The dominant bull is showing battle scars obtained in fights with other males as he tries to maintain control over his harem.

The fog comes in on BIG cat’s feet dominating the low horizon.

Breaching sequence: Humpback Whale near Hoonah, AK