As I sat down on the cliffs of South Rookery yesterday I noticed little black dots floating around in the surf. The dots were too small to be SAMs playing in the surf so I focused in on them with my binoculars and what did I see but this year's pups getting their flippers wet in the surf!!
The above photo isn't that good due to the extreme foggy weather that day but it gives you an idea of what these little guys look like during their first ever plunge into their soon to be element of choice. Come late September and early October these newbie swimmers begin to push the rookery boundaries to include protected coves and kelp beds. It is at this time when one can don a dry suit (and some cold water courage!) and get up close without intruding on the rookery limits.
The above photo was taken just in the shallow waters right in front town by Anchorage photographer and friend Nathaniel Wilder and shows perfectly what this unforgettable experience is like!Current Count 8/13:
Females: 1,237
Pups: 2,137
Last Count 8/7:
Females: 1,307
Pups: 2,299
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