Robert -- You may have gotten replies from others, so this one may be
considered as an "Alternative" option. The Pribilofs are probably your best
bet for Least, Parakeet, and Crested Auklets, both puffins, kittiwakes,
cormorants, and the large fur seal rookeries. Mid-late May to June is the
best time. There is no problem getting there other than having flexibility in
your schedule due to weather / fog delays in flying out from Anchorage and
getting off once you are there. St. Paul is probably the easiest of the two
main islands (also the largest) on which to perhaps arrange transport to the
bird viewing cliffs and seal viewing sites. I don't know exactly what might
be available if you are a single person or small group. Taxi maybe, but don't
be looking for a fleet of Yellow Cabs. I'm pretty sure that there will be
some locals out there who will be more than willing to accommodate you.
Because of strict regulations and limited facilities, the rather expensive
package tours (and specialized birding tours) are the usual route by which
most folks go. There is a reasonably nice hotel in the Aleut community of St.
Paul (pop ~600) that is accustomed to birders so they would likely be of
tremendous assistance. I can't remember what it's called; Puffin Inn or Eider
Inn or something like that. If you are traveling solo and on a limited
budget, and don't have an extra $1000 to blow off, you might then want to
consider going to the smaller island of St. George (pop ~200), stay at the St.
George Hotel ($80/night) and a recently designated Historical Landmark. The
island is small enough (8km wide) that you can walk to the wildlife, and St
George being off the usual well trodden path, might prove to be a more
rewarding and adventurous experience. I'm sure you could find someone to
assist or guide you as well.

One final travel tip: I highly recommend the *Lonely Planet*, travel survival
kit guide to 'Alaska'. Toss Frommer's and all the rest including your travel
agent in the can. No one should go anywhere in the world without this series
of travel guides. This series has been my 'bible' since the 1970's when it
first debuted from humble beginnings, and now has grown to icon status and is
annually updated. My bookshelves are loaded with those worn & tattered
editions I've used plus others for destinations I plan or hope to visit one
day. I find that I am referring to them constantly; like now, for example.
On your own, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars, and discover the
latest and greatest tips including hundreds of little obscure gems which are
all jam packed in between the covers that you would never hear of otherwise
and that all the others never mention or even know about. The series is
written with the young adventurous shoe-string budget traveler in mind, but is
certainly applicable for travelers of all ages. You can find the whole series
at any large bookstore, 'Barnes & Nobel', 'UW Bookstore', and at the best of
the best of all in all Seattle, 'Wide World Books and Maps' in Wallingford
(1911 N. 45th). The 'UW Bookstore' only began stocking it after I'd
complained loudly many years ago that they were making a big mistake by
omitting it from their vast travel section shelves. Now it's one of their
more popular travel staples amongst the U-dub crowd.

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)
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God was my co-pilot,
but when we crashed in the mountains,
I had to eat him :-))
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