U.S. #5713d
2022 60¢ National Marine Sanctuaries – Sea Stacks
Issue Date: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, CA
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Pane of 16
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 38,000,000
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is located off the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and includes 3,188 square miles of protected waters. The sanctuary protects the Northeast Pacific Ocean environment as well as the area's European and Native American cultural history.
There are many different habitats within this national marine sanctuary. These include sandy beaches, tide pools, rock reefs, open oceaen, deep sea canyons, sea stacks, and more. These habitats are home to marine mammals such as whales, seals, and sea otters. You can also spot seabirds like black-footed albatross, storm petrels, and gulls.
In addition to the species found in the water or near shore, sea stacks and offshore islands are also important habitats. For example, common murres and tufted puffins typically use them as nesting areas. These and other birds utilizing the space may build their nests on the cliffside or even simply lay it right on the rocks. When the young hatch, it isn't long before they are ready to fly and return to the open ocean where they feed and grow.
There are over 100 species of marine and shorebirds found in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. It's a popular site for both scientists and birdwatchers alike to enjoy learning about these fascinating species.