Volunteers expected Shorty to return again to his rocky haul-out along Harbor Avenue at some point yesterday. Sure enough, at 9am a spotted pup wriggled onto a jagged rock in this small Elliott Bay cove with a drop-dead view of the Seattle skyline. A mere few feet from the same spot as yesterday, we assumed it was Shorty.

However, we did want to confirm identity since another pup was seen hanging around the cove the day before. Identification and health assessment photos showed that the pup was indeed a new one in our database. It can be very difficult to compare markings, especially if one coat is wet and another dry. A wet coat shows the unique spot patterns much more clearly than dry or semi-dry fur (such as Shorty’s on Saturday). While many of the facial markings were similar, we could see that we had another pup on our hands.

This new pup, dubbed Tootsie, rested high above the tide line as the water receded. The pup had reasonably good body weight for a 4-6 month old weaner this time of year. About 2:30, she decided it was time to forage for a late lunch. Tootsie rolled and tumbled about 3 feet trying to maneuver her way down to the Bay. She rested for a few minutes after falling, apparently uninjured, and then traversed the remaining rocks and slid off into the gray water. She was seen foraging offshore for some time along with various shorebirds who feasted on small fish. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers who stood in the rain, watching over Tootsie.

The perimeter was left in place for the evening, but as of 8:30 pm no pups had returned. Volunteers will be monitoring the site early this morning. We expect Tootsie, Shorty or another little blubberball to show up again today. If a pup comes up with this morning’s 12-foot tide, he or she will be resting very high up on the rocks and terribly vulnerable to disturbance and potential fall-related injury. As usual, Seal Sitters’ volunteers will be on duty talking to the public and ensuring the pup’s protection. Maybe we’ll have two pups resting on the rocks today!

PUPDATE 12/23 6:28 am
No pups on the rocks yet this morning.

12/24 4:37 am
No sign of Tootsie or Shorty yesterday. Volunteers will be on the lookout for the duo and any of their pals today.

Tags: Tootsie, Shorty

Late yesterday afternoon, Seal Sitters volunteer Lars noticed a seal pup sleeping high on the rocks just below Harbor Avenue. While somewhat inaccessible, the pup was most vulnerable to being startled by a person or dog looming just a few feet above him, creating potential injury from a tumble down the jagged rocks while trying to escape.

Lars quickly called the hotline and first responders established a tape perimeter and “do not enter - resting seal pup” signs to create a buffer zone on the grass and sidewalk above. With little foot traffic as darkness approached and the rain increased in intensity, the pup settled in for the night. He was still sleeping soundly as of 9pm.

Volunteers will be checking this morning to see if Shorty (nicknamed for Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year) returned to Elliott Bay overnight or is still on shore.

We have had a lull in activity of pups on the beach needing protection. A number of pups have been seen resting on offshore platforms off Lowman Beach, Lincoln Park, Beach Drive and Alki or swimming along the shoreline. We never know when a pup will pick a public spot to rest and warm up. Seal Sitters volunteers are always on call and ready to give them sanctuary on shore when they do!

PUDATE 8:20am
Shorty was not on shore at 6:30am. We have left up the tape perimeter in anticipation that he might return soon after this morning’s high tide.

Tags: Shorty