RE: [Paddlewise] Bulkhead footrest

>I have experienced the same behavior in a solitary Grey Harbor seal in
>Great Bay- NH.  I have also often wonder what it was up to?  Usually it
>happens when the seal and I seem to be going the same direction for
>some time (or it is following me?) and it always happens
>directly astern so
>all I get is this really noisy series of splashes-I don't
>actually see him/her
>do it.  Ihave wondered if the seal was playing, trying to drive
>me off or ?.  I
>hope someone might have a good explanation for this---

[Delurking]

I've also seen this behavior from shore with binoculars while hiking.
There were no boats around at all often.  There were 3-4 seals in the
area and seemed to be steadily moving in a group along the coast.  I
wondered at the time, judging from diving bird activity in the same area
if they may be just following a school of fish and feeding.  Other sea
mammals are known to tail slap as well, and often the reason offered by
observers is that this is meant to stun prey close to the surface.  I
guess I can buy that in terms of an orca tail whack, but I have a hard
time seeing a great amount of mechanical force from small softer seal
flippers, unless the fish are virtually on the surface.

But I've also wondered if tail slapping and breaching was always just for
fun, or also served the purpose of dislodging sea lice or other
irritants, much in the way a land mammal in a pasture swishes a tail,
flicks ears, and flexes the surface of their skin.  It'd be nice to have
some more info.

Craig Bowers
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