Odd time of year for seals to be eating herring.

The skin lesion in the photo is likely caused by a stress-related bacterial infection – possibly trauma initiated. Probably common opportunistic bacteria in the environment such as motile Pseudomonas/Aeromonas Gram-negative organisms.

Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) seen in the north during typical nesting season.

This was the warmest autumn on record for western Alaska. Local observer comments on how lack of sea ice is effecting fish and bird behavior.

Thousands of smelts were found dead during low tide in the Togiak slough. Is there an environmental cause?