The ability to take a day trip to Cape Cod National Seashore is a definite perk of living in the Boston area, and I was excited to go there this week for the first time since I was a little kid. I don't remember all that much from our family vacation there, but I do remember enjoying the trip overall, going whale watching, seeing horseshoe crabs, and eating my first lobster. Well, I suppose it's more accurate to say ordering my first lobster. As the story goes, I was very excited to try lobster on this trip -- most likely since my dad was so excited for it. I do have a memory of sitting in a restaurant, putting on the plastic bib that they give to those who ordered lobster, and then having a whole steamed lobster put on my plate. My family tells me that the look on my face was priceless, and that I ended up not eating it since my 5-year old self couldn't eat something that still had eyes.
So what does my story about not trying lobster have to do with the pictures I've posted for today? Perhaps not too much, it was just a memory I have of Cape Cod from a long time ago -- but I have read that gray seals do occasionally eat lobster!
Long before we moved to the area, I was already looking up information about the wildlife I would be attempting to find and photograph once we arrived. I had read that gray seal populations have been steadily increasing along the coast, and that there are a few breeding sites near Cape Cod and the Islands. Large pinnipeds will always rank highly in my book, and I was excited to take my first trip into Cape Cod National Seashore to try to find them. The conditions weren't great, since it was heavy clouds and strong winds, but seeing a large group of these seals resting together on a sand bar just offshore was a lot of fun! I'm already planning a return trip for a late afternoon low tide to try to get some better photos of these delightful marine mammals in nice light.
View more of my photos of gray seals in Cape Cod National Seashore.
Hello Dude,
ReplyDeleteThe grey seal's habitat varies among individual groups. Some are found along the coasts of rocky continental areas, while some are seen on solitary islands. There are populations on ice shelves and icebergs, too. Thanks for sharing it......
...such glorious photography; a wonderful sight to experience, enjoyed this so much
ReplyDeleteWell, glad you are enjoying New England, Pat. Love your story and the photo of the seals. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteCarol Blackburn
they're beautiful. i like the smug little, almost dog-like, faces on the ones looking up. i'm glad you're liking your new area. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs, as always! Awesome sights! Faces only a mother could love. How exciting for you it must be to explore new nature areas with your camera. Looking forward to viewing more superb images.
ReplyDeleteStunning!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi there - great pictures - I have some slides (remember them!) of seals surfing inside waves offshore from Kangaroo Island. I will have to scan them up and see what they look like.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Australia
I was wondering when you'd post about Cape Cod National Seashore Pat. I was there several years ago on a vacation w/o camera equipment. I learned then that there were some islands offshore with lots of birds.
ReplyDeleteSo love these shots of the seals! Great capture!
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