Re: [Paddlewise] Seal Pup behavior

Anne Burton wrote: 

What a thrill! Does anyone know anything about seal pup behavior -- 
specifically the seeming to follow me? 



They are unbearably cute, aren't they!   As far as being followed by seals - adults or pups, that seems quite common.  Just turn your head quickly, and you'll often see (and hear) many seals diving - after following you for quite some time - with heads just above water.

I've also had a number of seal pup *close encounters* as the one you describe.  One in particular was very special to me.  It was a very calm morning on the water - it was glassy, with just little wisps of low-hanging fog here and there.  Sound carries very well in such quiet conditions, so I heard the plaintive cry of a pup while it was still a little distance from me.  I turned to look, and saw that it was swimming vigorously toward me, and *calling to me*.  I stopped paddling, and allowed it to catch up.  For the next ten minutes, it *spoke* to me in the most wonderful and varied voice, and nudged my elbows often - occasionally swimming underneath my boat from one side to the other.  It's eyes melted my heart.  At one point, it climbed onto my bow, sat there, and continued to *talk* to me.  An enchanting experience.

I'd read that paddlers shouldn't give such a pup a *ride*, as that could take the pup away from where it's mother might have been, so I made sure I remained in about the same place.  Though I could have, I also didn't reach out and touch it - not knowing how my scent might affect how it's mother might react.  I do try to be as *low-impact* as possible, but this encounter, as when my whale friends approach me (and do, in fact, allow - and even enourage me - to touch them) are at the discretion of the *other* - I simply accept their wonderful attentions.

Melissa

    




***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************