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)

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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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

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)

Slideshow below

Fantastic trip! We were lucky enough to be able to watch as seals arriving from the ocean swam north towards the haul-out site. While just a few seals were hauled out at first, they kept coming 34 seals, then 47 seals, the 72, then 79, then over 90. We were able to observe some classic loud and sometimes violent contests between seals for space of the sandbar. We also many seals with distinctive markings including 2 that we'd last seen in late October. An amazing experience for all of u. These photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been merged to form panoramic views to facilitate counting, and others were digitally cropped. 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 to his mate Matt for their 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 purchase here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

Another amazing trip on Shinnecock Bay! CRESLI Senior scientist/naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, with the help of his trained volunteers and the fantastic crew of the R/V Peconic, brought us to see 205 Atlantic harbor seals hauled-out on a sandbar in Shinnecock Bay. These photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been merged to form panoramic views to facilitate counting, and others were digitally cropped. 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 to Chris Paparo for their 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)

Moday, February 19, 2024

Dr. Kopelman's Stony Brook University, Spring 2024 MAR395-01 (Marine Mammal Research Techniques) class, once again traveled on the R/V Peconic, to view and count seals on the Shinnecock Bay haul-out area. We encountered 141 seals: 140 Atlantic harbor seals and 1 male Atlantic ngray seal. Our thanks, again, to Captain Chris Winsor and Mate (and classmate) Matt Dean

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

Another fantastic trip on Shinnecock Bay aboard the R/V Peconic! CRESLI (Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island) Senior scientist/naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, with the help of 3 trained volunteers and the fantastic crew of the R/V Peconic (Captain Chris Winsor and Mate Matt Dean), brought us to see 102 Atlantic harbor seals hauled-out on a sandbar in Shinnecock Bay with several swimming including an Atlantic gtray seal. Once again, these photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slight;ly, and others were digitally cropped. All photos were taken without disturbing seals from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks 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. BTW, at Shinnecock Bay, we found a CRESLI cataloged harbor seal (named "top-hat-turkey-right") that was seen on 1/24/21 at Cupsogue Beach.

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

A cloudy blustery, yet rewarding day on Shinnecock Bay aboard the R/V Peconic with CRESLI (Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island) Senior scientist/naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, and with the help of 5 trained CRESLI volunteers and the fantastic crew of the R/V Peconic (Captain Scott Convery and Mate Matt Dean). On this trip, there were relatively few seals (15 in total with no more than 5 hauled-out), but loads of birds. Regarding the seals, we encountered 14 Atlantic harbor seals and 1 female Atlantic gray seal. Of the 14 harbor seal, 8 had markings unique enough to enter them into our new Shinnecock Bay Harbor Seal Catalogue. A large contingent of birders from the Eastern LI Audubon Society joined us on this trip. Eileen Schwinn and Thomas Moran provided lists on Ebird of 21 different bird species seen (254 individuals).

Once again, all CRESLI photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slightly, and most were digitally cropped. All photos were taken from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks 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 sunny blustery and rewarding day on Shinnecock Bay aboard the R/V Peconic with CRESLI (Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island) Senior scientist/naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, and with the help of 3 trained CRESLI volunteers and the fantastic crew of the R/V Peconic (Captain Chris Winsor and Chris Paparo helping out as mate). On this trip, we staring by watching the pair of osprey that returned again to the platform at the Martine Sciences Center. Chris Paparo also pointed out a pair of bald eagles on a sandbar as we travelled through the waters along the shore of the Shinnecock Nation. We spent the rest of our time observing, photographing, and counting the hauled-out and swimming seals. Photos are taken to help ground truth our on-site counts.  CRESLI counts from the upper deck of the R/V Peconic were consistently between 110-120 harbor seals in total.  

High resolution digital camera and software to assist in merging photos covering the entire haul-out, as well as software to help mark counted seals, allowed Dr. Kopelman to count the 159 seals we encountered on and near the sandbar. 158 were harbor seals (males and females) of all age classes from almost yearlings to adults. Careful review of several photos on the northern end of the haul-out showed an Atlantic gray seal pup, just a few months old. 

Once again, all CRESLI photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slightly, and most were digitally cropped. All photos were taken from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. Thank you to our co-sponsors, the South Fork Natural History Center and Museum. One final thank you to the passengers, without whom we would not have done this.

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

Shinnecock Bay Seal Cruise for Suffolk County Community College's Marine Biology Club. CRESLI Naturalist, Dr. Marianne McNamara, a Full Professor of Biology at Suffolk County Community College, and the head of their new Marine Biology Program, joined Dr. Artie Kopelman on a trip to see the seals in Shinnecock Bay. We arrive just as a few seals were beginning to haul-out.  The sandbar was mostly still awash and about 15 harbor seals were in the area.  Ultimately, within 40 minutes, the sandbar became more exposed and 24 harbor seals had hauled-ouT.

Once again, all CRESLI photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slightly, and most were digitally cropped. All photos were taken from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statues regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. 

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

During the Shinnecock Bay Seal Cruise for Suffolk County Community College's Marine Biology Club, in the morning found 24 Atlantic harbor seals. On the afternoon trip, we encountered 48 harbor seals and one molting Atlantic gray seal pup (probably the same pup we'd seen here in prior weeks. This is the time of year when many seals have started swimming northward. Let's hope they stay around for a few more weeks. In the meantime we are beginning to prepare for our upcoming whale watch season

Once again, all CRESLI photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slightly, and most were digitally cropped. All photos were taken from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statutes regarding marine mammals. Our thanks to Stony Brook University, SoMAS and the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus. Thank you to our co-sponsors, the South Fork Natural History Center and Museum. One final thank you to the passengers, without whom we would not have done this.

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

During our final Shinnecock Bay Seal Cruise for 2024, we ultimately found 4 different Atlantic harbor seals. On our fitst approach, we found 3, each of dramatically different sizes. One was very large, another very small, and one intermediate between the others. A fishing vessel drove quickly between us and the seals, causing 2 of the 3 to leave.  The one that remained is a seal we'd seen on April 6, 2024, with a healed injury on the right side of its thoracic area. The smaller seal returned quickly but the larger one did not.  We traveled south away from the seals to allow the larger one to return.  When we ultimately returned, and a different harbor sealm hauled out (the 4th one).

We expected relatively fewer seals due to the time of year and were glad to have been successful. As always, it was an amazing experience for all of us. 

Once again, these photos were taken using a Nikon Z 8 camera and a Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens. Some have been edited slightly, and others were digitally cropped. All photos were taken without disturbing seals from distances in full compliance with federal and NYS statutes regarding marine mammals

Our thanks to Captain Chris Winsor. 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 viewd and purchased here (funds go to help support CRESLI's work)

March 20, 2023  Suffolk Community College - Marine Bio Club trip .

Dr. Artie Kopelman, CRESLI President and Senior Naturalist led a trip organized by Dr. Marianne McNamara, Professor of Biology and CRESLI Naturalist, for the Marine Bio Club of Suffolk Community College. We encountered 145 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) and 1 Atlantic gray seal pup (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) in Shinnecock Bay, during a CRESLI cruise on Stony Brook University's R/V Peconic. We thank SBU SoMAS and Captain Brian Gagliardi

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

A fantastic trip on the R/V Peconic, led by Dr. Artie Kopelman.  We encountered 91 harbor seals comfortably hauled-out on the sandbar. Captain Brian Gagliardi, as always, did an incredibly fine job allowing us to see the seals without any disturbance to them. We were also joined by Chris Paparo, Manager of the Marine Sciences Center of Stony Brook University Southampton Campus, who introduced passengers to the bird life on Shinnecock Bay.

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