Fluffy
Two seals rest on West Seattle beaches today
Feb/09/18 01:09 PM
UNO HAULS OUT BRIEFLY TODAY
First Responders David and Eilene arrived at Cove 3 about 8:12 am this morning in anticipation of weaner seal Uno’s arrival. Volunteer John was already there and had encouraged a man to leave the beach just as Uno was casing the area for a safe haul out spot. Uno checked a second time, just as a noisy garbage truck came by on the sidewalk – this evidently discouraged her from coming onshore.
We did not see Uno for a while after that. After some children went down on the beach, it was decided after they left to put up the perimeter to discourage others from using the Cove and give Uno a chance to haul out. Following one additional aborted attempt, she finally came ashore about 9:15 am. Scheduler Melinda J was contacted and she did a good job lining up volunteers, but Uno only stayed a short time today, returning to the water just before 10 am.
SECOND SEAL RESTS NEAR COVE 3
While checking to see if Uno would return, several people came by and mentioned that a seal was sleeping on a rock near the south end of Don Armeni. Eilene found a very light colored seal (photo above) at that location around 10:10 am. The seal with a dry, fluffy coat had evidently been out for a while. A short perimeter was set up and volunteer Buzz took charge of that area. Volunteers were shifted to this new location. Buzz reported that the weaner, dubbed Fluffy, was washed off the rock due to a rising tide just before 11 am.
Buzz checked the boat ramp since Fluffy had headed north. No seals were located. Volunteers Jen, Karen and Margy helped monitor the area. We checked the coves, the boat ramp and Jack Block during the afternoon, but neither Uno nor Fluffy reappeared.
Thanks so much to those who protected Uno and Fluffy today. Job well done!
First Responders David and Eilene arrived at Cove 3 about 8:12 am this morning in anticipation of weaner seal Uno’s arrival. Volunteer John was already there and had encouraged a man to leave the beach just as Uno was casing the area for a safe haul out spot. Uno checked a second time, just as a noisy garbage truck came by on the sidewalk – this evidently discouraged her from coming onshore.
We did not see Uno for a while after that. After some children went down on the beach, it was decided after they left to put up the perimeter to discourage others from using the Cove and give Uno a chance to haul out. Following one additional aborted attempt, she finally came ashore about 9:15 am. Scheduler Melinda J was contacted and she did a good job lining up volunteers, but Uno only stayed a short time today, returning to the water just before 10 am.
SECOND SEAL RESTS NEAR COVE 3While checking to see if Uno would return, several people came by and mentioned that a seal was sleeping on a rock near the south end of Don Armeni. Eilene found a very light colored seal (photo above) at that location around 10:10 am. The seal with a dry, fluffy coat had evidently been out for a while. A short perimeter was set up and volunteer Buzz took charge of that area. Volunteers were shifted to this new location. Buzz reported that the weaner, dubbed Fluffy, was washed off the rock due to a rising tide just before 11 am.
Buzz checked the boat ramp since Fluffy had headed north. No seals were located. Volunteers Jen, Karen and Margy helped monitor the area. We checked the coves, the boat ramp and Jack Block during the afternoon, but neither Uno nor Fluffy reappeared.
Thanks so much to those who protected Uno and Fluffy today. Job well done!
