Seehundstation Norddeich

The National Park House seal station is the only state-approved care station for marine mammals in Lower Saxony. Between 80 and 180 orphaned seals and grey seals are raised here every year and returned to the North Sea. The station is responsible for the entire Wadden Sea in Lower Saxony, which enjoys special protection as a national park and world natural heritage site. The tasks of the seal station essentially cover three areas: breeding and protecting seals, research into seals and public relations.

Tag: Album Tag
Date: Sept 21

Lågskär

Lågskär is a small island within the Åland archipelago of Finland. It is situated about 24 kilometres south of Mariehamn in the Baltic's Sea of Åland. The main island of Lågskär measures 61 hectares in area. Rock stacks, sea cliffs and rocky shores are found along the coastline of the island. The underwater banks of Lågskär Archipelago are important feeding areas for waterfowl during migration periods. In spring up to 10,000 of both Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks rest in the area on peak days. Amongst the threatened species hosted by the site are also the Ringed and Grey Seal.

Many thanks Petr!
Date: June 28

Helgoland

Helgoland is a small German archipelago in the North Sea. It's a somewhat popular destination for one-day ship cruises. A feature of the island is almost total absence of car traffic, which makes it a safe and quiet location, and a hotspot for birdwatching. The island is famous for its Lange Anna spire, cliffs of red rock, sandy beaches and wildlife.

Tag: Album Tag
Date: Feb 26

Sealcentre Pieterburen

A Christmas card from the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Pieterburen. Thanks a lot Alynda!
Date: Dec 8

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

The elephant seal colony at Point Piedras Blancas, 7.7 miles north of San Simeon, California has experienced phenomenal growth in less than 30 years. Since the first pup was born in February, 1992, the colony has grown to an estimated 25,000 elephant seals along an 8+-mile stretch of coastline. The number of seals at the rookery peaks three times during the year: in late January when most births have occurred, around the first of May at the peak of the juvenile/adult female molt, and in late October during the fall or juvenile haul-out. The annual cycle begins in November with the arrival of mature males at the end of the month.

Thanks a lot John!
Tag: Offer tag
Date: Sept 17

Heard Island

Southern Elephant Seals, Heard Island.
My second card from Heard Island this time with Southern elephant seals. They live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. Southern elephant seals breed on land but spend their winters in the frigid Antarctic waters near the Antarctic pack ice. They are the largest of all seals. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds.

Unesco: Heard and McDonald Islands
RR: Unesco RR
Date: May 9

Shiretoko

Shiretoko is one of the richest integrated ecosystems in the world. Encompassing both terrestrial and marine areas the property is located in the northeast of Hokkaido and is comprised of a part of the Shiretoko Peninsula, which protrudes into the Sea of Okhotsk and the surrounding marine areas. The extraordinarily high productivity of the marine and terrestrial component of the property, produced and largely influenced by the formation of seasonal sea ice at the lowest latitude in the northern hemisphere, and the prominent interaction between the marine and terrestrial ecosystems are the key features of Shiretoko.

Unesco: Shiretoko
Thanks a lot Wakana!
Tag: Offer tag
Date: March 6

Aquarium of the Pacific

Seals at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California.
The Aquarium of the Pacific  is a public aquarium on a 5-acre site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California. The Aquarium features a collection of over 11,000 animals representing over 500 different species. Exhibits introduce the inhabitants and seascapes of the Pacific, while also focusing on specific conservation messages associated with each region. The Pacific Ocean is the focus of three major permanent galleries, sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.

Thanks a lot John!
Date: March 7