Northwest Dive Club

While on a diving trip at Race Rocks, a few years ago, we saw all five pinnipeds located in our waters: harbor seal, California sea lion, Steller's sea lion, northern fur seal, and elephant seal. I repeated that experience while out with Westport Seabirds last weekend.
We first encountered this tagged northern fur seal. NOAA reported it tagged five years ago at San Miguel Island. Having a California seal instead of a Bering Sea seal is unusual. To my untrained eye it looks just like the Galapagos fur seal and the South American fur seal I saw on my trip south in February. This unimpressive blob is an elephant seal floating head up. Handsome fellow. I didn't photograph harbor seals or the Steller's, but I did take a shot of these California sea lions lazing around the harbor at Westport. We also saw two humpback whales and migrating gray whales. Captain Phil Anderson successfully located hundreds of seabirds for us, some were real rarities. I will leave you with the common blackfooted albatross, a personal favorite. With its seven foot wingspan, it never fails to inspire me as it soars over the waves. -Curt

Wow. That's cool. Didn't realize we had all of those here!

Wow!!!
WEstport Seabirds? Is it a charter company?
Curious.
Kirsten

Fantastic report

Scubak wrote:Wow!!!
WEstport Seabirds? Is it a charter company?
Curious.
Kirsten

Kirsten: Yes. The owners, Phil and Chris Anderson, do regular surveys of pelagic seabirds and cetaceans and take people out with them. Phil is not only a long time charter boat captain, but he is the former director of Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. He employs top notch guides on each trip. Check out their website.
-Curt