Hearing loud splashes in the deeper waters of the marsh is not unusual. Fish are frequently active at the water’s surface and birds such as cormorants and ospreys will often dive under in search of food. But this morning’s splash was much louder than usual and the surrounding ripples revealed that the diver was indeed quite large.
For several minutes, my eyes darted across the grey water, looking to see what would surface. Once the creature emerged, I was not disappointed. It was a harbor seal.
This is the first time I’ve seen a seal in the salt marsh. Apparently it’s not uncommon for harbor seals to follow fish inland during high tide. They’ll also feed on clams and crabs which are plentiful in the marsh.
The winter before last I managed to see a seal on the iced inlet behind Rainbow Haven Beach. It was the first time I’d seen a live seal.
Harbor seal behind Rainbow Haven - January 2009
Whether in the water or on the shore, harbor seals blend in very well with their surroundings. I almost tripped on a dead one at Martinique Beach a couple of summers ago. It was perfectly camouflaged among the rocks. I wonder how many live ones have watched me over the years as I’ve walked along the shore, absorbed in thought. Wildlife is all around us, whether or not we have the eyes to see.
Oh how exciting Amy-Lynn. Those shots are wonderful. The one from Rainbow Haven from last year is amazing. I’m glad you’re getting up early to show me all the things I’m missing by sleeping in all the way to 7:30 am !
Cheers, Sybil
Seals have such beautiful, expressive eyes, don’t you think? Well done for capturing this one on camera, Amy.
Reggie, those eyes have likely endeared them to many. However, many fishermen consider them the rats of the sea.
Rather like squirrels being “rats with fluffy tails and a better PR team”, hey?
:-D
I can’t help marvelling at seals though: Seeing a creature that looks so floppy and flabby and lumpy on land gliding and diving and surfing through the water and the breakers like an acrobatic trapeze artist flying through the sky, is just magical!
Cool! (Can’t help it–I still say it.) I am envious of the seal sightings. They both looked to be pretty curious about you, too. I’m glad you photographed them and didn’t trip over them. It’s hard to capture grey on grey under grey, but you did it well.
Good awareness to hear that splashing! What a wonderful gift for the morning. Do you have a desire to pet a seal? I do. Along with dolphins, manatees and–not–sharks.
Kathy, it’s taken me so many years to finally just *see* a seal, that I’ve never thought of being able to get close enough to pet one.
Every time I read one of your posts, I feel an almost overwhelming desire to move to Nova Scotia. Thank you for sharing your wonderful area.
Seeing that sweet face this morning was a good way to start my day. Just lovely. Thank you.
Very cool. I have never seen seals outside of the zoos and aquariums. Great photos.
Amy, I almost forgot to tell you. I was able to get my mystery waterfowl identified. They were Horned Grebes. Thanks for the tip.
You’re welcome Jessica.
:)
I start the day watching birds for a few minutes…
It does look very sweet. Denmark has seals too. We use to enjoy seeing them, when we are having vacation in jutland. The fishermen there doesn´t realy like them, because they eat the fish they have /had in their net.
Oh what fun! I love these little guys though I’ve only seen them in the wild once on a trip to Maine. How blessed you were to be able to see one!
Terrific pictures.
How sweet. They get in the locks around here and eat the salmon. We have one (or more) that works the fishing pier – just at the edge where the lines are in the water. :)
Thank you for your comments everyone. I haven’t seen this seal since I saw it that day in the marsh. Adult harbor seals need to eat almost 20 lbs of fish/sea life daily in order to survive. It probably headed out to the ocean where it would likely find more to eat.
[…] April I spotted a lone harbor seal in the salt marsh. Though some people claim to see seals regularly on our shores or in our waters, this is only […]