Today I played hooky and took off for Greenport for a ride in my friend Bob’s Boston Whaler for a trip around Plum and Gull Island. A little rough were the currents but my friend navigated the choppy surf with the most adroit speed and helmsmanship. He told me that we were in for a treat as his son and he this past weekend were witness to a herd of gray humming seals off Little Gull Island.
Well he was right and as we approached the lighthouse we spied about no less than 50 of these magnificent creatures speeding from their dry perch on the rocks to the waiting frigid waters. It seems they were as curious about us as we were about them. These seals so unlike the black playful ones we know from the zoo or the movies were massive weighing in at best guess to be at least 300 pounds or more and although they looked like a fish out of water on land when they slip gracefully into the water they move with certainty and a stylish beauty that is pure wonder.
With their nostrils flaring as they approached us still at a safe distance that is safe seal distance you could hear their humming as if they were talking about us in the language of the sea. I wonder just what it was they were telling each other? Something like Oh God not these bipeds again! Or maybe they were hoping we would jump in and share a swim with them but at 44 degrees Bob and I were not having a go at that.
More tomorrow.
Oh what a wondrous experience are you lucky.
ReplyDeleteIt was breathtaking for sure. And I don't think many people know about these curious creatures.
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