Monday, January 22, 2018

Field Trip: Seals in San Diego

So, we recently moved from Waco, Texas to San Diego, California.  I grew up in California, and it's nice to be back.  One of the best things is being so close to the ocean.  While it's a little cold for swimming right now we had a great time going to visit the seals at Children's Pool (no pool...it's just a beach that's called that where seals come when they are pupping...which I've read is Dec. 15 to May 15).

Here's some pics we got while we were down there....





Yes, yes that is a football next to that seal...



And here's a video of all the cute stuff we caught the seals doing...
(with commentary by my three boys)


These seals are Pacific Harbor Seals.   They are just one of the many seals and sea lions that can be found in California. 

And, if you've ever wondered  how to tell seals from sea-lions, there's a good guide here including a coloring page you can print:  How to Tell Sea Lions from Seals

At Children's Pool humans are not allowed to go down on the beach while the seals are pupping, but when seals come up on other beaches people can cause them real problems.   So if you are lucky enough to see a seal with pups on a non-restricted beach, give it some space, because mother seals sometimes abandon their baby seals if they are scared by humans surrounding them (and if humans pet the baby seals, the human smell can also cause them to abandon their pups). 


Seagulls however, are another matter.
(They're just as likely to harass humans as vice versus).


Not to leave them out, my eldest caught this shot.   He's still new enough to California to be amazed at getting close to a seagull...I'm not gonna kill the wonder.   And I like the shot he captured.





Shared on

ethannevelyn.com

Our World Tuesday

 


 




43 comments:

  1. I love your photographs of the seals. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. I have always wanted to take my boys to see the seals.. but we live on the other side of the country so we have to make do with the ones in the aquarium.

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  3. Nice. I don't know why I haven't thought of seals being in San Diego. I've seen lots in Northern and Central CA. Like seals would have borders. Silly me.

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  4. How amazing having the seals and sea lions so close I could watch them all day! lovely post and how great for your kids. Mandy xxx #explorerkids

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    1. It really was. We feel really lucky to get to see them.

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  5. How lovely to live close to seals and sea lions, I’d love to visit San Diego. #explorerkids

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    1. Hope you get a chance someday! It's a beautiful city.

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  6. This was one place in San Diego that we didn't get to see!

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    1. Aw, too bad. Bet you got to see lots of other great stuff though. We've been here 5 months and are still just starting to explore this city.

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  7. I absolutely love San Diego! I can't wait to go back there, just went for my first time last year. It's so beautiful, especially by the beach. Love la jolla and seeing the sea lions. #explorerkids

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  8. Oh wow - how cool. I'd love to visit California it just looks like an amazing place. Sarah #ExplorerKids

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  9. How cool that you can see and photograph seals at such close range!
    #ExplorerKids

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    1. I know! I thought maybe we'd just get to see them at a distance, but we were able to get really close.

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  10. The way they lift their heads and tails at the same time, you'd think they'd have good abs! LOL! The variety of colors on the seals is amazing ... enjoy San Diego!

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    1. Good point! Must be a lot of muscle under that blubbler!

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  11. How lovely - we live near the sea as well, so whatever the season it's always great to get out and see something. #countrykids

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    Replies
    1. I grew up on a boat, and I missed it so much while we were land-locked in central Texas.

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  12. What a beautiful place to explore, I bet the boys loved visiting the seals. This does look like a wonderful experience, seeing the seals in their natural environment must be magical. The boys sound so excited to be able to be up close to the seals too, I'm sure they'll remember this visit.

    Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.

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  13. Lovely pics, stayed at Carpinteria a couple of years ago in Jan and saw loads of seals on a nearby beach. Love your Californian weather! #CountryKids

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    1. I'm enjoying the weather too...though the kids were actually bummed it was snowing in Texas (where we just moved from), and they were missing it. But we finally got snow in the mountains here so we got to take a day trip last weekend. I'll be posting about that soon.

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  14. They are beautiful creatures! I havent seen one up close in their natural element so it must be amazing! #countrykids

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    1. It was really cool. Hope you get to some day!

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  15. Wow how amazing to get that close to them #CountryKids

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  16. That looks a wonderful spot. Its been a long while since I visited San Diego...

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    1. It was. Maybe you'll get a chance to visit next time. Don't know if the seals are always there. December is when they are pupping.

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  17. that was fun to watch. :) thanks for the smiles for the day

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  18. We loved San Diago when we visited and can't wait to take our girls there one day. How amazing to have this on your doorstep!

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    1. It's a neat place. We're enjoying exploring it. :-)

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  19. Aww... how lovely! It's great that you can see animals in their real habitat. It can make me sad somethings when they are cope up in the zoo. These seals are so lucky indeed. :)

    Thank you very much for linking up with us on #ExplorerKids

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    1. Yeah, it is different than seeing them in a zoo for sure!

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  20. Wow, that's really nice! And thank you for the facts as well, about seals and sea lions 👍 #CountryKids

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  21. I've never seen seals in real life. Love the Gull shot.

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  22. Replies
    1. Yes, they do! Bet it helps them camouflage a little.

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