Saw an old friend in the lineup

[surfinJ]

So there I was, waiting far on the outside for the occasional larger set,
when I noticed a small dark and roundish orb bobbing and submerging.
At first I thought it was a diving sea bird but then I thought I recognized
something else - though it couldn't be, not native, not even close.  I let
the offshores drift me closer and there it was again.  The round dark eyes
looking right at me before it shyly disappeared under the surface.  A seal!

Ok, for some of you, no big deal, but for me quite a special moment.  Back
home I searched the local news till I found confirmation.  It seems this
winters exceptional wind and swells from the northwest had blown various
sea life far to the south. Hopefully she/he isn't alone and maybe with the
coming calmer months they'll find their way home.  Sorry no photos of the
seal, just a couple from the beach after.

[southwesterly]

I did not know that you didn't have seals. How sad.
You are more than welcome to some of ours.

[surfinJ]

There nice to see hanging around, just wouldn't want the guys in the grey
suits that usually accompany them.
This one was probably 700+ miles from home.

[Badger]

I did not know that you didn't have seals. How sad.
You are more than welcome to some of ours.

Those aren't Seals.

Those are Sea Lions.  

They are two completely different animals.  

[southwesterly]

Sorry I misspoke Shoals.
We also have Seals.

[Badger]

Sorry I misspoke Shoals.
We also have Seals.

Not to mention California Harbor Seals.

[SUPcheat]

I remember a couple of decades ago, when there were EL Nino's, the seals seemed to disappear around No Cal coasts and harbors for a while.

There was the usual environmentalist panic that the seals and sea lions were on there way to obliteration because of changing ocean temperatures.

Now, around Santa Cruz, you can't go out in the water without running into a dozen, but I love seeing, them, they are the sentinels of the waves. Their heads poke at regular intervals along the shore, and looking down, you can see them browsing in the kelp for fish when the water is clear.

In Monterey and Moss Beach, they have to find ways to keep the harbor seals from lounging too much on the docks.

[hbsteve]

I paddled too close to a private dock last week.  Some motion sensor sprinklers sprayed me.
It worked.  I didn't go get on their dock.

[hbsteve]

I paddled too close to a private dock last week.  Some motion sensor sprinklers sprayed me.
It worked.  I didn't go get on their dock.

[coldsup]

We have them bobbing up looking at you now and again........once saw a seal pup follow a few surfers around coming right up to their boards for a peek. Even had the same pup share part of a wave with me...obviously loves to play. We have lots of gannets and terns which dive around you ......mental!