Sea Lions vs. Surfers On The Washington Coast
- Sitting Log at the North Jetty in Ocean Shores, Washington
Linda and I try to walk on the beach every day. We tell ourselves that it is exercise, but really it’s just taking advantage of where we live (Ocean Shores, Washington). We have different beaches that we can go to, so we don’t see the same thing every day.
What we have discovered is that you CAN go to the same beach every day, and it is NEVER the same. There is always something new washed up on the shore, or the shoreline is changed with high tides or storms, or there are different animals and birds doing interesting things.
We recently went to the north jetty and walked along the beach. It was a gray day, so we were watchful for squalls blowing in, not wanting to get soaked. On our walk back, Linda (the champion of all wildlife spotters) saw some sea lions and harbor seals in the surf. There were also some hardy surfers in the same stretch of beach. So we pulled up to a handy log, and watched the show.
The seals stayed in the more shallow area. You can tell them apart from sea lions by their relative size (smaller), gray color with black spotting (vs. brown), and the presence of ear holes (vs. ear flaps).
http://www.dolphinencounters.com/education-sealionvsseal.php
As soon as the sea lions came close to them, the surfers left the water and stood on the beach, holding their boards, and watched the sea lions challenge them. The sea lions charged at them through the surf, showing the surfers how body surfing really works. One sea lion actually left the water completely, using the power of the wave to launch himself in the direction of the surfers, as if to say, “We’re claiming this area of the water. You folks go up the beach a ways.” Which is exactly what the surfers did.
The sea lions were laying on their backs with their heads and flippers up and out of the water. We wondered if they were protecting young, or making new young, but neither option seems likely this time of year, given their location. We thought they were California Sea Lions, but the surfers said they were Stellar Sea Lions. Don’t know who is right. Any guesses?
Stellar Range vs. California Range
Also, though the brown pelicans are supposed to be gone at this time of year, we saw flocks of them using the jetty as a resting and feeding location. Perhaps (my guess only) with global climate change, their migration patterns and habits are also changing. I know MINE are.
Life is good at the beach in Ocean Shores, Washington.
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Nice blog post! I’m glad to see you’re getting the hang of this! Thanks again for contributing to Washington, Our Home!