We were working our way up Blackfish Sound looking for some killer whales reported to be in the area when we came upon a Steller sea lion. This sea lion cam within 5 meters (yards) of the back of the boat, of course I missed that photo. Sea lions are very curious and if you sit quietly in a boat they will approach quite close.
Tag Archives: Stellar Sea Lions
Lunch Time Visitation 2 of 3
On another day in August we had just spent about twenty minutes photographing about seventy-five Steller sea lions at one of their haulouts. We had move along the shore to a kelp bed so we would be up-wind of the noise and more importantly the smell when we had a visit. Again sitting quietly these sea lions were less than three meters (yards) from the boat and were more curious than frightened.
Curious visitors
Picnic lunches on your day with the whales and other abundant marine life are most often eaten in the boat while drifting. It is sort of like the movie “Feed of Dreams” in that the drifting means that all is quite and most mammals are curious and will come to investigate something that is different. The different being a boat without a motor running which allows a much closer approach from these Steller sealions.
Anette and family visit 2 of 7
If I read the time stamps on the photos correctly after our time with the killer whales would have come a stop in Telegraph Cove to use the bathroom and stretch our legs. The length of time in the Cove is determined by the guests but in most cases it is short as the action is on the water. After leaving Telegraph we visit the Steller sea lion that spent some time in the area when migrating between California and Alaska. If you look closely to the left of the sea lions there is a bald eagle sitting in the tree drying it’s wings wet from the morning mist. Yesterday’s post continues tomorrow …..
More Impressive?
Steller sea lions are much more impressive than harbour seals in size, volume of their roars and of course smell. Some sea lions now live in the area all year but are only on a number of haul out sites in the spring and fall when migrating between California and Alaska.
After Telegraph Cove
After stopping in Telegraph Cove (see yesterday’s post) we head back onto the water for the second half of the day which means stellar sea lions in the spring and fall as the migrate between California and Alaska. This September day is unusual because all seems quiet on the sea lions haul out. Normally when there are this many stellar sea lions on one rock it becomes a mass of moving bodies with all of them wanting their complaints heard.
Sea Lion Haul-out 2 of 2
“The Steller Sea Lion Recovery Team recommended in 2000 that researchers begin branding and marking Steller sea lion pups throughout their range as a means to estimate vital population parameters in the future. Population parameters such as survival, age at first reproduction, and natality are important factors to understand population dynamics and gauge the health and stability of populations. Specific rookery sites were chosen to initiate these long term marking studies, both in the western and eastern stocks. For the eastern stock, three rookery sites were chosen in southeast Alaska (Forrester, Hazy and White Sisters) and 2 were chosen further south off southern Oregon and northern California (Rogue Reef and St. George Reef).” Patrick J. Gearin NOAA, AFSC, National marine Mammal Laboratory. Over the years we have seen sea lions with brands originating in both Alaska (Forrester) and California (Rouge Reef).
Sea Lion Haul-out 1 of 2
Steller sea lions inhabit our area all year however their number increase dramatically in the spring and fall when they are migrating between California and Alaska. A haul-out is a nice place to visit but the noise and smell can be overpowering so once all photos are taken we tend to move.
Rising Tide
The tide is rising and the Steller sea lions are being forced into the water. The dominant males have the high ground and will remain there until they also go swimming. We have sea lions in our area all year but the numbers increase dramatically in the spring and fall when they migrate between California and Alaska.
Nice Place to Visit BUT-
It is a nice place for watching wildlife but I would not want to have our picnic lunch to close to the Steller sea lions. There are a few sea lions that remain in our area all year but there are definitely more in the spring and fall during their migration between Alaska and California. The noise and aroma are enough to make sure that we are at least upwind in a quieter location for lunch.
