Tag Archives: Marine Mammal Center

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Sara Bogard photographed a newborn Harbor Seal pup getting a caress from its mother.

You can see the pup is already in the water. Harbor Seal mothers give birth on land, in secluded coves. There is a nursery off The Sea Ranch where you can observe the seals without disturbing them. Docents are on duty to make sure the vulnerable pups are left alone. We never want to disturb wildlife - do no harm is a great motto.

Please don't try to "rescue" a pup. Call the Marine Mammal Center if you find an animal in distress. They will send a trained local volunteer to assess the situation. The number for the Center is 415) 289-7325. Their website is: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Nothing but beautiful sunshine on the Mendonoma coast today! 70 degrees...wow.

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The very first Harbor Seal pup has been seen resting at Bowling Ball Beach. It is particularly important to leash your dogs and check any beach during pupping season.

Carol Cleland was one of the first to see the pup. She wrote, “I was enjoying a beautiful day on the beach when I saw this very young Harbor Seal pup tucked away napping."

"I figured the mama was out fishing and would come back for her little one. Then I wondered about who I should call to get info on what to do. I assumed I should leave it alone and move on down the beach, but I worried about its safety.”

Never try to “save” a pup. The correct thing to do if you think a pup is in distress is to call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-SEAL  or 415) 289-7350. They have trained volunteers here who will assess the situation, and effect a rescue if needed. Here's a link to their website: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/

Carol reported this pup was gone the next day, so we hope all is well and that the pup thrives.

The coming weeks are a great time to see new life on the Mendonoma coast. Rick and I have found twigs off our Japanese maple tree on the ground. We know what that means - birds, probably Steller's Jays, are already building their nests. Now is NOT the time to be pruning branches in trees and bushes.

Thanks to Carol for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Heavy rain in the wee hours of the morning, with clouds mixed with sunshine this afternoon.

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Jim Corbett photographed the sun-loving California Sea Lion. The Sea Lion looks pretty happy there on the breakwater.

Rebecca Stanley found a Sea Lion pup in distress. He was huddled up against a driftwood structure on the beach at Irish Beach. Poor little fellow.

Rebecca did the correct thing - she called the Marine Mammal Center (415)289-7325). They sent a trained local to assess the situation. The decision was to take the sick pup to the Marine Mammal Center. He has been named Qi. He was separated from his mother and very malnourished. He will likely be at the Center for several months and then hopefully released back to sea. You can check on Qi at: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/

Thanks to Jim and Rebecca for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another beautiful sunny day here, but that is about to change as a series of storms is headed our way!

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Sherry Scholl spotted this adult Harbor Seal with two smaller seals. Laura Cortright confirmed the two smaller ones are last year's pups.

It's just about time for pupping season. It's important to realize that mothers leave their newborn pups alone on secluded beaches so they can go feed. Never try to "rescue" a pup. If you see a Harbor Seal pup, or any other marine mammal in distress, the correct thing to do is call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-SEAL. They will call a trained local resident to come and assess the situation.

And remember to keeps your dogs leashed when approaching any beach this time of year. We are fortunate that Harbor Seals thrive here, and we don't want to stress them in any way. Here's to many healthy pups this year!

Thanks to Sherry for allowing me to share her photo with us here.

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We are always on Harbor Seal pup watch every spring and it's exciting when the first one appears. Allen Vinson was there on a bluff at The Sea Ranch when it happened on the first of April.

The first Harbor Seal pupof 2015 is born by Allen Vinson

And soon the little pup was nursing.

Newborn Harbor Seal Pup nursing by Allen Vinson

Since then 18 more have been born. It's that time of year to especially keep your dogs on leash when approaching a beach. Pups are very vulnerable. Never "rescue" one. The mother leaves her newborn soon after birth so she can fish for herself. She will return to her sweet pup. If you do find a marine mammal in distress, call the Marine Mammal Center at 415 289-7350.  They will send a trained local to assess the situation.

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.