Seal of Approval!

     Today I joined my friend Daniel, whom I haven't seen in sometime for a seal watch with Gotham Whale and American Princess Cruises. We both got a great deal on groupon for tickets and man, was today a great one!
     Before even getting to our destination of Swinburne Island, we counted 24 osprey- not only FOY and FOS, but so many, flying back to their nesting grounds and often in pars or trios. We also got the chance to see some N. Gannets out at Swinburne Island, plus the nesting Peregrines on the Gil Hodges Bridge. It was a great day, and bonus was that the rain held off and lots of pictures could be taken...

One Peregrine Falcon, on a tower of the Gil Hodges Bridge.

My FOY Osprey!

My FOY American Oystercatcher!
(FOY = First Of Year)

A lofty place to make a nest...

Peregrine Falcons nest on just about every bridge in NYC- they are perfect: close to food, safe, and naturally these birds nest on cliffs, sooo, this is a man-made cliff.

More and more osprey, flying from West to East.

And our arrival at Swinburne Island... Rocks covered in pinnipeds.

Mostly harbor seals-- there are 2 greay seals in this frame, can you find them?
Look for their larger size and horse-like heads. Harbor seals look more puppy-faced.

And oh yeah, we're in the shadow of ALL THIS!
I love living in NYC because moments like these are so epic and special. How privileged are we to live in this amazing, huge city-- yet be surrounded by wildlife?!

The most interesting grey seal in the world (left).... and his harbor seal buddies.

Seals haul out to stay warm, to bask, and also, to escape being shark bait. While these true seal family members are not the most graceful on land, they do their best, flopping around awkwardly like a fat, aquatic caterpillar.

The grey seals were my fave- they just look like they own their rocks...

Right before flopping into the water...

Seeing seals hauled out gives many folks the rare chance to see a dry seal. They are fuzzy like velvet and at one time, their amazing velvet fur was sought after by us for our own fashion needs. These animals in the United States are protected by federal law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

While hauled out, most take on (my personal favorite...) the banana pose.

When wet- most folks forget that these animals do in fact have fur, just like all other mammals. But their best means for staying warm come from all that blubber that they pack on during the coldest months.

The double-crested cormorants on Swinburne Island are getting ready for the island to transition from favorite seal haul out to a nesting colony.

This (very large) harbor seal looks like he may have had it out with another seal, as he is marked with blood around his mouth and face. Judging by its immense size, I would imagine this individual is male.

A cormorant carrying nesting materials as it prepares for baby bird season!

What a great day out watching seals just past one of the busiest harbors in the world.