Thursday, August 30, 2018

PEARL AND JAM CONTINUE TO REST ON WEST SEATTLE BEACH.....MIGRATING RUDDY TURNSTONES ARRIVE AND SOME ADDITIONAL FURRY CRITTERS FROM MOUNT RAINIER

Harbor Seals Pearl and Jam continue to rest at low tide on West Seattle beach.  First seen on August 6th and last seen on August 29th.  Pup Jam will be weaned 4 to 6 weeks after birth so that should be within the next 2 weeks or so...question is will Jam continue to frequent the current haul out site? 
The Ruddy Turnstones are uncommon in our area but are seen in small numbers during migration from the Arctic coast to points south.  They are closely related to Black Turnstones which are common wintering birds on our shorelines.
In addition I have also posted some images of some furry critters from Mount Rainier.  While these are not marine species they are in the Puget Sound watershed like many other critters I have posted here...plus I just really like seeing these mountain critters....so I hope you enjoy the marmots, ground squirrels, chipmunks and Pika images.  Summer is winding down...Harbor Seal Pup season is upon us....Happy Labor Day weekend all.


Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel













Being amphibious

Piks



Sunday, August 12, 2018

FIRST HARBOR SEALS OF THE SEASON PLUS GULL IS SMARTER THAN OCTOPUS 8-12-18

Today the first Harbor Seal pup showed up at Alki and Seal Sitters were there...with no place to sit.
The first pup of the season also brought a family member...its mom.  So a two seal day,  Mom named Pearl and pup of course is Jam.
Yesterday at the same beach another very uncommon sight.  A Glaucous-winged Gull found a very unlucky Giant Pacific Octopus....a rather shrimp of an octopus.  The end was very predictable....

Pearl and Jam










Northern Hairy Chiton