A SEAL ON THE ROCKS - WITH A SPLASH OF ELLIOTT BAY
This morning around 8am, a slight movement caught the attention of a couple walking along the waterfront on Harbor Avenue SW. They stopped to watch as a young harbor seal hauled out on the sea wall near Don Armeni boat ramp. Seal Sitters volunteer John regularly walks along the shore and often spots seals, but he admits that he wouldn’t have noticed this one if the couple hadn’t pointed it out. They all winced as the seal crawled up the barnacle-encrusted rock. John notified hotline operator Melinda J and helped set up a perimeter when First Responder Lynn arrived.

The pup has been nicknamed Miracle by enthusiastic 8-year-old SS volunteer Lina, who took the Seal Sitters training last year.

The weaner settled down and slept undisturbed for several hours until waves from passing boats splashed the seal’s resting spot. Miracle tried to burrow deeper into the rocks, but was eventually swamped by the rising tide. At 12:20 pm, the seal turned around, slipped into the water and swam straight away from shore.

Many thanks to volunteers John, Dory, Margie, Jay and Carol for helping out. David provided a spotting scope and Robin pitched in some support. A huge thank you to Melinda J who took over the scheduling duties in a pinch, as well as manning the hotline.

Tags: Miracle

First Responder Dana got a phone call about 10:45 am this morning from Hotline Operator Kristen about a seal at Lincoln Park's southend, across from picnic Shelter 4. Dana was on site within 15 minutes or so and met reporting party Scott, who helped set up the perimeter. Scott asked if the seal could be named “Toni” after his dog and Dana amicably agreed, assuming this was not one already identified and named.

Weaner seal Toni, born last year and estimated to be about 5-7 months old, had obviously come ashore at the early morning high tide, since he was snuggled into the woody debris, high on the beach. First Responder David drove down to the park with some additional cones for the perimeter. Kristen A, Kelsey V, Barb Z were the “sitters” to arrive at the popular park. Young volunteer, Lina, who was walking with family, stayed and helped. First Responders Melinda and Betsy came out to assist to the end. First Responder Lynn brought yummy Oregon trail cookies for the hungry volunteers who put in a long day.

It was a bitter cold and windy day at the park which borders Puget Sound, boasting beautiful views of the Olympic Peninsula and Washington ferries, sailing to and fro. Weaner seal Toni finally returned to the Sound at 6:18 pm, as darkness fell and off leash dogs were observed on each end of the beach. Frozen volunteers headed home to thaw out and get something to eat.

Tags: Toni

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!

Tags: Fluffy, Uno

As usual, young harbor seal Uno had a Seal Sitters welcoming committee lying in wait this morning. The early morning greeters noticed her leisurely foraging out in the Bay. After awhile, she did some off close-shore reconnaissance and one attempt to come ashore before finally landing on her favorite part of Cove 3 at 9:45am. The perimeter was quickly established and First Responder Melinda alerted Scheduler Colette to begin calling volunteers.

Early morning walker and volunteer John was on hand to help out, just as he has done virtually every day at the cove since Uno started showing up there. First Responders Robin, David and Eilene were there as well.

Colette did a great job, lining up volunteers Richard, Melinda J, Barbara, Sherry, Karen and Karen, and Victoria for the full day. The Doodle calendar worked out perfectly - all volunteers that had scheduled themselves for today, as well as Buzz showed up for some “Uno time”.

Once again, Uno entertained her veteran fans as well as making some new ones. She returned to the sea at 2:50 pm (photo above). No coughing was noted today and Uno seemed to get a bit more rest than yesterday.

Tags: Uno

Although high tide wasn't until 10 am this morning, Uno could be seen swimming pretty far out in Elliott Bay about 8:17. First Responder Robin and volunteer John closed off the small cove as soon as they sighted her. Uno then swam in close and began a series of futile attempts at coming ashore around 8:50. Uno would flop onto the steep-sloped beach, only to get sloshed by the incoming tide and swim off in a flurry. Then, a few minutes later, she'd try again.

This went on for some time before Uno finally gave up and disappeared from view for a good 30 minutes or more. Maybe she decided to do a little more foraging before another long day, resting out of the cold northwest waters. Volunteer Buzz and Robin kept checking for signs of her glistening head in the flat, gray Bay.

It was almost 10:20 before Uno was able to get settled on shore. She was very skittish, but with big bright eyes a plump belly. What a joy it is to look after such a seemingly healthy weaner. Scheduler Molly was notified and, of course, not long after she efficiently lined up volunteers for the day, Uno bolted from the beach for some unknown reason. But we figured she'd be back - and she was within 5 minutes!

Volunteers Helen and Barb showed up for the first shift, followed by Jimi and Jay. First Responder David couldn't bear to miss seeing Uno, so it was no shock to see him walking up from the West Seattle Water Taxi parking lot. We fully expected Uno to stay ashore til almost dark again today. Dave and Suzanne arrived for their 2pm shift. The vols did a great job as usual, talking with passersby and encouraging them to peer thru the scope.

Uno did her typical pattern of staying within about 10 feet of the receding tide, but surprised us all by suddenly returning to the water around 3:30 pm.

Tags: Uno

NUMERO UNO CONTINUES PREDICTABLE STREAK
Today turned into an interesting and challenging Seal Sitting adventure. First Responder David was down at “Cove 3” along Harbor Avenue just about 8 am, awaiting Uno’s arrival. She surfaced about 8:10 and took the next 12 minutes making trial runs at hauling out. Finally making the commitment at 8:22, volunteer John was there to assist in setting up the perimeter and talking to passersby. The tide was very high this morning – almost 13 feet, and Uno ended far up on the beach.

The rest of the day was her typical behavior of turning toward the water and moving down with the outgoing tide. Scheduler Jimi did a great job lining up volunteers until she returned to the water at 4:07 pm. We had a wonderful surprise visit by Hotline guru Larry, curious to finally see beautiful Uno.

Photos of Uno's belly were sent off to WDFW MMI's marine mammal biologist to confirm thoughts that Uno is female. That suspicion was confirmed. This is Uno’s 6th consecutive day at Cove 3 (she arrived in Elliott Bay from Lincoln Park on January 18th and has been using Cove 3 exclusively since January 21st ).

SECOND WEANER HAULS OUT BY SALTY'S
Hotline Operator Larry called at 12:33 pm with a report of another seal on the rocks at “Cove 1”, just north of Salty’s Restaurant (photo below). While volunteer Victoria kept watch over Uno, Responders Eilene and David arrived just in time to spot the weaner, set up a perimeter, only to have him leave the rock and swim away. **First Responder Robin** came down to help cover Cove 3. After checking out the area for a while with no additional sightings of the seal nicknamed Salty, they returned to help with Uno.


THIRD SEAL ONSHORE IN THE AFTERNOON
At 1:46 pm, a report was received regarding the third seal of the day. This one was at Cormorant Cove Park on Beach Drive, next to Harbor West Condos (photo below). The weaner was out on the gravel bar, barely discernible in the muck and trying to keep up with the outgoing tide. In this case, no perimeter was set up. David and Eilene watched both ends of the beach for approaching beachcombers and people with dogs. Dropping by to follow up on the seal, were the reporting party and her 5 year old granddaughter, who suggested Peachy for a name. First Responders Ralph and Melinda, along with volunteers Karen and Stefanie, arrived to relieve David and Eilene. Peachy returned to Puget Sound just before 4 pm.

David and Eilene arrived back at Cove 3 in time to watch Uno come to a decision to return to Elliott Bay around 4:15.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out today - and kudos to David and Eilene for a very trying day.

Tags: Uno, Salty, Peachy

Even though high tide wasn't until 9 this morning, Uno was an early bird and made her appearance at 8:12 am - instead of her pattern of coming ashore post high tide. First Responder Robin was ready and waiting, taping off access as soon as the tubby little one flopped ashore after a couple of attempts. She nestled near her favorite log on the pebbled beach.

Scheduler Lori began calling volunteers in anticipation of yet another long, long day with the single-minded weaned seal in search of sanctuary on shore. Seal Sitters volunteers (including Buzz and Dave at left) and First Responders talked to a steady stream of passersby and offered folks a closeup look at Uno thru the scope. At one point during the afternoon, a California sea lion entertained us by splashing around and foraging within a few feet of shore, only about 50 feet from a very observant and curious Uno.

Uno reluctantly swam off into Elliott Bay about 5:25 pm, as darkness fell and an incoming tide lapped over her. Cold and tired volunteers were relieved to go home to warm up.

We continue to have a number of seals using the old dock and restricted beach at Jack Block Park daily.

Tags: Uno

UNO GETS A SURPRISE GUEST AT COVE 3 THIS AFTERNOON
Just when we thought things were getting very predictable at Cove 3 these days, volunteers got a jolt mid-afternoon today.

Uno did her usual appearance just after high tide early this morning. John and First Responder Robin taped off the cove just before Uno showed up. There was quite a bit of activity on the sidewalk above the beach - several races were being run and a hydration station was set up right in her field of view. We felt having that extra 6 feet of quiet zone behind the metal railing might make Uno feel more secure coming ashore.

Once on the beach, Uno settled in for a long winter's nap. Scheduler Arden lined up volunteers in shifts until late. First Responders David and Dana drove down and Robin took off for Lakewood to deliver a dead weaner for necropsy by WDFW’s Marine Mammal Investigations Unit.

So, things were cruising along as usual until about 2 pm when we spotted another little seal swimming close in to the beach. We were all stunned when a thin, beautifully marked weaner crawled out of the Bay and onto the multi-colored pebbles (photo below), just a short distance from where Uno was snoozing in the sun.

DOS FOCAS SOLAMENTE, POR FAVOR - NO MAS!
Quickly dubbed Dos, this small weaner was quite thin and lethargic - in desperate need of some rest. The "humpy" back seen in the photo is a good visual indication that this one has some respiratory issues, confirmed by coughing and other behavior. Pretty much all weaner seals this time of year are battling respiratory complications, some worse than others; undisrupted rest is a crucial part of overcoming these challenges, which can certainly be life-threatening.

Uno was not at all thrilled by the appearance of this intruder. About half an hour later, Uno opted to crawl over the rocks to escape into the cove, rather than take the direct, unobstructed route to the water.

Dos managed to get a little rest for the next few hours, but was fighting an incoming tide - so continually was having to move. Just as darkness was falling and we were stressing about the safety of him being on the beach tonight, the tide lapped over him and he reluctantly swam off into the pink and blue shimmering waters.

There were lots of people out and about throughout the day. Kelsey, Kristen, John, Jimi, Betsy, Libby, Melinda, Buzz, Jessica and 7th grade daughter Sylvia, David and Dana did a tremendous job educating the public about our two gorgeous visitors. Huge thanks to all of you!

Tags: Uno, Dos

We reviewed our notes regarding Seal Sitters’ responses to Uno since the first report on January 4th (see below). Uno has already joined the ranks of some of our more prolific young seals, at 16 days and counting. She still has a ways to go to beat out Queen Latifah's 60+ consecutive days.

Lincoln Park: 1/4, 1/6, 1/15, 1/16
Cove 2: 1/18, 1/19
Cove 3: 1/21, 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 1/28, 1/29, 1/31, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3

UNO ARRIVES EARLY TODAY
First Responder Robin was ready and waiting at Cove 3 early this morning, just as the high tide hit around 8am. Uno was there within minutes, swimming in close on a few passes, trying to determine if it was safe to come ashore. The signboards and cones were already in place and Robin was out of sight, yellow tape in hand. Uno flopped onto the beach and the cove was sealed off pronto.

Uno immediately fell sound asleep, a true picture of bliss with a tubby belly and pencil grin.

Arden was scheduler today and efficiently rounded up a great group of volunteers. Melinda took over First Responder duties at noon. Despite the usual crowd and traffic distractions, Uno managed to get some rest (though not quite as peaceful as the photo above, taken early morning). A number of passersby said, "Is that Uno?" Our celebrity weaner returned to Elliott Bay at 3:12 in the afternoon.

NO RAIN ON FRIDAY - HURRAY!
Yesterday’s First Responders David and Eilene discovered Uno at the cove around 10am (the beach was empty at an earlier check). Lori worked her scheduling magic and managed to get enough volunteers out to lend a hand.

Uno stayed until almost 5, at the end of another windy and cold day.

Tags: Uno