West Seattle wildlife: Yes, it’s still seal-pup season on our shore

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you follow Seal Sitters‘ updates on their “Blubberblog” site, you know that seal-pup season in West Seattle is still going strong, and volunteers are still getting calls to come out and guard pups on the beach. We in fact got a call earlier today (and referred them immediately to the SS hotline at 206-905-7235). Not sure if this is the same pup, but photos just came in, with this note:

I am just here visiting family in west Seattle. While out walking along the beach today i found a little white seal pup stranded on the rocks off of Alki Beach. He has apparently been seen stuck in this spot before. I called Seal (Sitters) and they came right away and set up a perimeter to help keep him safe.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

bestbets November 28, 2011 (8:58 pm)

That’s Spanky! He is not actually stranded on the rocks, but when the tide goes out he could be injured if he were suddenly startled into going into the water, so it is important to leave him be. I was “sitting” him until about 5:30 p.m. when it was totally dark; the tide had come in but he was still holding out on the rocks! And yes, that is Spanky’s favorite spot, won’t be surprised to see him back their soon.

Dano Beal November 28, 2011 (9:11 pm)

…is my sister a fantastic photographer, or what?!?

WSB November 28, 2011 (9:18 pm)

Forgot to ask you her first name – which she didn’t sign in the note – and I didn’t get a chance to try to look up – but there’s still time to add it :) – TR

Stacy November 28, 2011 (9:14 pm)

Amazing photos. Thank you for sharing!

jd November 28, 2011 (10:55 pm)

Wow, what beautiful shots you captured. The first picture … the baby seal looks like they are telling you to go away. But then the second picture … the baby seal looks like they are posing for you and just loving the camera. I love it. Wonderful photos! In the first picture the baby seal looks like they have some type of collar around their neck. Is it a collar or my bad eyes? Thanks again for sharing these photos and giving us West Seattle folks another reason to love and appreciate our lil’ rock … West Seattle.

Dano Beal November 29, 2011 (12:08 am)

Hi guys!….. The photographer is my little sister, Kelly Beal. She is visiting from Eugene Oregon…. And she really is amazing with a camera!

Jason November 29, 2011 (5:59 pm)

Sooo… I have to ask: If this seal was being “sitten” by the sealsitters, and someone wanted to walk up and take these same pictures, what would the response by the sealsitters be?

WSB November 29, 2011 (6:26 pm)

If you can take your photos with a lens from a distance – this photographer was professional – they don’t have a problem. Otherwise, it’s a risk to them if you try to walk up and stick a small camera right in its face.

FireFly, aka Georgi November 30, 2011 (4:34 pm)

Cool shots, Kelly! Spanky reminds me of Bianca, the baby I ‘named’ on (I think) Sept. 26th on Alki Beach. Is she still around, does anyone know? I’m from Shasta Co., CA, was visiting PCT hikers Feral and Green T for a couple of days. They were so sweet to take me seal pup-watching before they headed off to work. Being able to see and name Bianca was a very special treat, one I won’t soon forget! Any photos of her? I read about her twice on the Seal Sitters blog after I returned home but haven’t been able to keep in touch recently. Thanks for any info. Seal Sitters do a great job…wish I lived in Seattle, I’d love to help….

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