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Photos: Beautiful Inwood Seal Strikes A Pose
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 14, 2018
Modified Aug 15, 2018
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 14, 2018
Modified Aug 15, 2018
Share
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A gorgeous harbor seal was caught sunbathing on a rock in Inwood on Tuesday afternoon.
Inwood resident Taegin Reisman said she snapped the photos at around 1 p.m. in Spuyten Duyvil Creek. "A few other adults and kids were watching and taking photos, and the seal didn’t seem to mind at all," Reisman said. "It’s our newest Inwood resident apparently!"
According to Maxine Montello, a rescue program director at The Riverhead Foundation, the seal is just a yearling—only a year or two old—and by the looks of the tag on its hind flippers, it's a rescue that's been released into the wild.
"Those circles around its eyes are hydration circles, meaning it's very hydrated, and they get their water from their food source, which is fish," Montello said. "It looks like it's pretty plump."
Montello added that usually harbor seals are seen in the New York City region around late fall or early spring. "It should be migrating north," Montello said.
Over the past month, other Inwood residents have spotted the seal. Some have apparently named it "Sealy," which, come on.
Another seal was photographed in June, though it appeared to be without a yellow tag.
Montello asked New Yorkers who spot seals and sea turtles to call Riverhead's hotline (631-369-9829), even if the animals don't look injured.
"It's useful for us to know where the animals are using habitats, and to keep track of the rescue animals," Montello said.
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Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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