Curiosity
This young seal was swimming in the shallow waters between high tide and low tide. Yaquina Head is my favorite place to watch seals along the Oregon coast. They will swim in fairly close, and their curious nature means you won't go unobserved. It's a difficult place to shoot on a sunny evening, since the setting sun is in front of you, so on this day I arrived at sunrise. This picture was taken shortly after the sun's rays had first crossed over the high cliff walls, most of the other areas around the beach were still in shadow.
Big Yawn
An adult lets out a big yawn on an early morning in March 2005. He had a fairly choice perch, off by himself but elevated above many of the other rocks. He was able to sun himself longer than the younger seals around him, who were several feet below him and had to yield their spots to the incoming tide.
Sound Sleeper
Things can get a little dramatic when the tide comes in, so it helps to be a sound sleeper that isn't easily distracted by the sight and sounds of crashing waves. This adult suns and sleeps as long as possible in the early morning hours before slipping back into the ocean.
Early Riser
I don't like to get up early, so I was pretty impressed with myself when I woke up early enough to be on the beach at sunrise. When I got down to the beach, though, some of the harbor seals were already out swimming around in the water, making my early rising not quite so impressive. Because of the high cliffs, the rising sun hadn't yet lit up the waters where this seal was swimming.
Once More Into the Breach
This adult decided to start his morning early and not wait for the incoming tide to reach his high perch. He shuffled off his sunny spot, down past the mussel beds and into the shadows at the water's edge.
