Gray Seal and Common Eider

A Gray Seal Halichoerus grypusseen on the boat ride to Seal Island yesterday, with an incidental female Common EiderSomateria mollissima in the lower right. Gray Seals are one of two commonly seen seals in the Gulf of Maine, and are larger than the Harbor Seal. We saw several Gray Seals pulled out of the water on our boat ride today. The Latin name for Gray Seal does not refer to its color, but to the nose of the male, translating "hook-nosed sea pig." Common Eider are the largest of the eider duck family, and the largest duck found in Europe, and are the largest sea duck in North America. Only the Muscovy Duck of Mexico and Central America, and introduced to the U.S. (a rare natural visitor) is larger.