Seal Pup at lot B on Ft. Steven's

alankitesurf2 · Since 21 Jun 2006 81 Posts

Pretty cool to see a seal pup haul out on the beach right in the middle of all the kites launching last Saturday at Ft. Steven's. Not so cool to see all those that went up to touch it and let their kids get within a foot or two. While several dogs sat calmly 5 feet away other unleashed dogs made runs at the pup. The Marine Mammal Protection Act gives 50 yards as the proper distance to avoid stressing the pup. While the pup didn't seem to mind the attention offenders can face a fine. A little common sense could avoid bigger problems in the future... or at least give a tired animal a break.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

buncha seals were jumping when we rode out there last week. Hope the landlord's not noticing...

Nak · Tue Aug 23, 11 7:47 am

August is when the big landlords come up from California following the salmon. The seals were probably jumping trying to avoid paying the rent. The seal pup on the beach may have been doing the same...

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Harbor Seals birth between June and September in the Columbia Estuary area and are often left onshore by their parent while they go foraging. I would imagine that you would have noticed a concerned parent within the surf zone watching as the human/canine circus harassed its offspring. You will also see newborns that have been washed up during high tide cycles face the ultimate in survival challenges when stranded high up the wrack line, they struggle to walk, shimmy, sleep, roll and wiggle their way back down to the surf. Many don't pass the test and eliminate themselves from the gene pool. Eyeballs are the first to go...

Harbor Seal Facts from www.MarineMammal.org

Common name common seal, harbor seal

scientific name Phoca vitulina

body size Males (bulls): 1.4-1.9m, 55-170 kg
Females (cows): 1.2-1.7m, 45-105 kg

average life expectancy Males: up to 20-25 years
Females: up to 30-35 years

vocal behavior probably the least vocal of all pinnipeds

Males roar underwater to attract mates.

They may snort , hiss, grow, or sneeze when threatened

Physical characteristics vary in colour from black, brown, gray or tan, with darker patches.

pelage is unique to the individual

relatively large head with a short body and flippers

diet fish, molluscs and crustaceans

foraging behavior make short regular dives, usually to less than 100m, inshore

habitat the most widely distributed pinniped

haul out onto rocky shores, mud flats, sandy beaches, and log booms

may also inhabit fresh water

do not tend to travel more than 20km from the shore

distribution inhabit the waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans

reproduction courtship and mating take place underwater

females give birth to a single pup

pup is born in an advanced state of development, and can crawl and swim within a few hours of birth

mother will mate again immediately after weaning

conservation status Are not endangered, although their tendency to stay in the same area for the majority of the year has meant that some local populations have disappeared.

DOPEFLY · Since 13 Oct 2007 97 Posts Maui

I enjoyed that write up. Good to know where life starts and circulates.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Nothing like kiting in the middle of the buffet line.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Doesn't someone here have a story about kiting in and amongst jumping seals, and then being chased off by the landlord himself?

Great, great story (definitely in the nwkite greatest hits), I'm too busy/lazy to find it....

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

I have been out surfing twice when someone close to me got bitten. Am always glad to surf with others since then. Very scary, at least with a kite you can be out of there.