Seward, Alaska
Rain, sn’rain, wind, calm, and repeat. After going through a few sets of rain gear and shoveling, it was delightful to be under a roof to watch and photograph the fascinating seabirds and other marine life at the Alaska Sealife Center.
Cadet, a usually reclusive female BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, flew down from her clifftop heat lamp spa and took a dainty bath in a side pool then preened with her long orange bill. She took a nice afternoon stroll along the rocks before flying back up to the heights to warm up.
The male STELLER’S EIDER shepherded and bossed all the other Eiders like a pesky sheep dog, chasing after them as they paddled away. Despite his annoying behavior, I never saw the larger Eiders retaliate. The female Steller’s ignored him and took a nap with one eye half open.
Much to the delight of the visitors, the spectacular KING EIDERS and SPECTACLED EIDERS obligingly paddled back and forth in close range to display their finery from all angles. They know they are impressive!
The RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKES seemed content to sit quietly; only one took a spin around the habitat to startle the humans below, then landed with loud acclaim. Its vivid red tongue matched its red legs.
Today, the COMMON MURRES were the noisiest, calling their name as they swam back and forth in a tight formation towards the back.
I marveled at Pilot, the gigantic Steller Sea Lion, cruising past the underwater window with an effortless stroke of his long front flippers. His bellows rang out whenever he rocketed out onto the rocks. What a tremendous splash when he dove back it!
In contrast, the rotund HARBOR SEAL and SPOTTED SEAL quietly surfaced for a breath then looped around their pool, propelled by a swish of their rear flippers, casually swimming upside down without a care.
A lovely time visiting with our ocean universe neighbors.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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