Harbor Seals, Dundas Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska – Image 2709

Glacier Bay National Park is a water orientated park that features a number of species of marine mammals including: humpback whales, sea otters, killer whales, dall porpoises, sea lions, and harbor seals. John Hopkins inlet is one of Southeast Alaska’s largest harbor seal birthing areas and is closed to boat traffic until the first of July. The seal’s main predators are killer whales, and the seals move to the ice choked inlets to have their pups on the icebergs. The thick ice affords the seals a level of protection found no where else. Killer whales have no appetite for hunting in waters stuffed with icebergs. Once the pups have been born, the seals spread out through the park and often haul out on rocks ledges left by the retreating tide. Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Once again as a reminder, I will be leading a small boat photo cruise in Glacier Bay National Park this coming summer with Dolphin Charters (www.dolphincharters.com), July 6-12, 2011. Come join me for a week-long cruise in the bay exploring Alaska. Have a great new year.Camera body: F5, Lens: Nikkor 300mm f/5. Film: 35mm Velvia, ASA 50, digitally scanned© Mark Kelley