Our first 2026 Shinnecock Bay seal cruise was a resounding success, even with winds approaching 30 knots. Another wonderful late morning trip for observing seals from abroad Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic. We saw 40+ seals hauled out, including at least 1 female Atlantic gray seal, and the rest were Atlantic harbor seals. The high winds and choppy seas didn't disturb the seals, alas, the sound of our vessel did have a brief effect. The seals flushed from the sandbar when we were several hundred yards away. We decided to continue heading south away from the sandbar to allow the seals to return.  They did return to the sandbar 20  minutes later, and we carefully approached again, and they were no longer disturbed.  The seals included a female with propeller scars on her abdomen that we've seen repeatedly in Moriches Bay and Shinnecock Bay since 12/2016. Our photos  also captured a porpoising seal and one that appeared to ride the waves. All the seals were apparently well fed and some did show scars from shark bites and other injuries. Our Shinnecock catalogues continue to grow. Out thanks to CRESLI supporters, volunteers, and to Captain Chris Winsor and his crew

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

Slideshow below

CRESLI's inaugural 2025 season seal cruise in Shinnecock Bay on the R/V Peconic was unlike any of our previous cruises. Before leaving the dock we had a muskrat swimming alongside of us. Also, encountered 4-6 harbor seals swimming and spent time with two that were interacting with each other, including some great views of one porpoising towards the other.The people on board we genuinely excited to see learn about and see the seals and thanked us they left.

Photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 70-200mm lens and Nikkor 2x multiplier. All photos were taken without disturbing seals from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Captain Bill for his help. We also thank Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the  South Fork Natural History Center and Museum

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

A beautiful, calm day on Shinnecock Bay. We rode on Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic and encountered 110-116 harbor seals hauled-out on their usual  sandbar area. We watched several competitive interactions between seals attempting to move into an occupied areas. This isn't uncommon to see and hear (growling galore), but not often do we get video and photos of the interaction. 

Photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. All photos were taken without disturbing seals from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Captain Chris Winsor and Mate Matt Dean or their help. We also thank Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. A big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteer. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the  South Fork Natural History Center and Museum

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

An windy, cloudy, and ultimately snowy but beautiful, afternoon on Shinnecock Bay. We rode on Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic and encountered 71 harbor seals (65 hauled-out and on their usual sandbar area and as many as  6 swimming). As before we observed several competitive interactions between seals attempting to move into an occupied areas and heard growling. The seals were not disturbed by our presence and remained calmly on the sandbar until it began to snow. Surprisingly, the seals seemed to respond to the snow and flushed from the sandbar in 3 groups and began swimming towards the inlet.

Photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. All photos were taken without disturbing seals from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Captain Chris Winsor and Mate Matt Dean for their help. A big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the  South Fork Natural History Center and Museum

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

The intermittently sunny afternoon on Shinnecock Bay was wonderful. Once again, we rode on Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic and encountered up to 130 Atlanmtic harbor seals hauled-out and on their usual sandbar area and as many as 10 swimming on occasion. As usual, we observed several competitive interactions between young small seals attempting to move into an occupied areas and heard growling and saw scratching and biting. The seals were not generally disturbed by our presence and we were able to watch them interact with each other from no closer than 150 feet. CRESLI photos were taken in accordance with federal and state laws using a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens.  Two passengers, Bill Marrs and Todd Russo, were kind enough to share their eBird data and counts for the trip: 1,814 birds of 14 species, including, for example, 1350 Commom Eider. Another amazing trip with amazing people.  Our thanks to Captain Bill Harbert and Mate Katie Santoro for their help. Another big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers Doug, Terry, and Kim, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the  South Fork Natural History Center and Museum

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

A mostly cloudy and very windy morning on Shinnecock Bay with 128 harbor seals. We rode on Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic and encountered the seals on and near on their usual sandbar area. Again, we heard growling and observed several competitive interactions between young small seals attempting to move into an occupied areas. Amomng the 128 seals was one of the 1st Shinnecock Bay cataloged harbor seals, a female with horrendous semi-circular prop scars across her abdomen. We've seen her at Cupsogue in 2017 and Shinnecock in 2019, 2024, and now in 2025.

Our thanks to Captain Chris Winsor and Mate Jaden Mc Aleese for their help. Another big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers Carolyn and Hannah, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the  South Fork Natural History Center and Museum. The seals were not generally disturbed by our presence and we were able to watch them interact with each other from no closer than 150 feet. CRESLI photos were taken in accordance with federal and state laws using a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

This was a cloudy and intermittently foggy afternoon trip aboard Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic and encountered the seals on and near on their usual sandbar area. We encountered up to 154 different harbor seals. Once again, we saw a range of interactive behaviors including growling, biting,scratching and observed several competitive interactions between young small seals attempting to move into an occupied areas. Among today's seals there were many with healed apparent shark bite wounds and other injuries.  The seals were not generally disturbed by our presence and we were able to watch them interact with each other from no closer than 150 feet. CRESLI photos were taken in accordance with federal and state laws using a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens.

Our thanks to Captain Bill Harbert and Mate Jaden Mc Aleese for their help. Another big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers Doug and Kyra, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the South Fork Natural History Center and Museum.

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

An excellent morning for observing seals from aboard Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic. The timing of the trip allowed us a unique perspective to watch as the incoming tide began to cover the sandbar. We were able to for over an hour the as 110 harbor seals adjusted to the incoming tide. As the area of available sandbar became diminished, we watched as seals left, and those that remained continued to contest over available space. The typical growling, scratching, and nipping continued and spread as individuals became more concentrated. Ultimately, as more left, the competition for space subsided. As waves buffeted the sandbar, the last remaining seals picked their heads up with every wave. We watched from a distance untl the last remaining seal headed into the water.

The seals were not generally disturbed by our presence and we were able to watch them interact with each other from no closer than 150 feet. CRESLI photos were taken in accordance with federal and state laws using a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Many of the photos in this gallery (as in all others) are cropped to provide close-up views.

Our thanks to Captain Bill Harbert and Mate Jaden Mc Aleese for their help. Another big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers Jim and Matt, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the South Fork Natural History Center and Museum.

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

Our final 2025 Shinnecock Bay seal cruise was a resounding success. Another excellent morning for observing seals from aboard Stony Brook University's vessel the R/V Peconic.  The timing of the trip, once again allowed us ato watch as the incoming tide began to cover the sandbar. WE initially saw 101 seals (100 Atlantic harbor seals and 1 juvenile femal Atlantic gray seal).Again, we saw how the seals adjusted to the incoming tide. Unfortunately, about 45-50 seals fliushed from th sandbar, but all stayed around and ultimately most returned to the bar. 

Again, the contests over space continued. The typical growling, scratching, and nipping continued and spread as individuals became more concentrated. 

We were able to watch them interact with each other from no closer than 150 feet. CRESLI photos were taken in accordance with federal and state laws using a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Many of the photos in this gallery (as in all others) are cropped to provide close-up views.
 

Our thanks to Captain Bill Harbert and Mate Jaden Mc Aleese for their help. Another big thanks to our CRESLI seal cruise volunteers Jim and Matt, also to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. One final thank you to our co-sponsors, the South Fork Natural History Center and Museum.

Photos and videos can be viewed and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)