Seal Watching

[Scots_Charles_River]

I was out and about today, seal watching from my canoe, although you can see them about 100yds from the shore. Rhu Marina,Helensburgh, north of Glasgow. Two pups and a few adults. Furry top half, don't know if they are common seals or not. We watched one catch a sea trout, 30ft away.

Nick

 

[falling rain]

They're great arn't they. I've seen quite a few seals when I've been fishing down in Devon and Cornwall. Never managed to get a picture though as they don't stay surfaced for long and I'm busy fishing anyway. They surface to take a look at you and go under and re-surface closer to get a better look at you.
I caught a ballan wrasse once which I didn't want, so I put back in. It took a while for the wrasse to recover and before it could, a seal sufaced and ate it
That's happened a few times wtih sea gulls too, when I've put the fish back a seagull swoops down and gets an easy lunch.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Best thing about that place is it's urban and easy access.

Nick

 

[w00dsmoke]

Hi Nick,

I've often thoguth about paddling down there but have never been sure about the current there, esp with mackeral fishing season on us again.

Anyway they are Atlantic Grey seals in the pic, you can tell by the roman nose, common seals have a head like a dog.

Hope this helps

Woodsmoke

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I've often thoguth about paddling down there but have never been sure about the current there, esp with mackeral fishing season on us again.

That was just after high tide. There is an eddy there, but only 1/2 knots, it's mainly over at the ferry yard that you feel the current. Slight ferry glide to cut across the channel, avoiding subs.

Anyway they are Atlantic Grey seals in the pic, you can tell by the roman nose, common seals have a head like a dog.

Ta,

Nick

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I was out on the gareloch again, near the Kilcreggan shore, and up popped the fin below, a dolphin or porpoise, as I turned around it jumped but was zoomed out too much and did not get another photo. I was on the SPT ferry that pootles between Helensburgh, Gourrock and Kilcreggan.

 

[bloodline]

A few years back my son and I were on the Medway estuary (out past Nor Marsh for those who know it) when we had one come very close, in fact it touched my paddle while it was at the deepest part of the stroke I didnt say anything because I didnt want to alarm my son. but a couple of seconds later he shouted "dad it just touched my paddle!" Im sure the seal was making sure we didnt stay on its patch too long and believe me it was a big bu**er it kept swimming around and under us until we were out of the channel it used to hang out in. We went out the next weekend but it didnt come close that time.