shock to elation to embarrassment

I always get pleasure from spotting "wildlife and everything else around me", but seals up here are rather common place so they don't have a high "Oooo, look!" factor.
Feeding gannets do, dolphins definitely do, minke whales most definitely do and the orcas steal the show.
Apparently, there is reputed to be a great white shark around a wreck somewhere not far north of where I live. It is supposed to have been verified by two independent sets of divers - one bunch from South Africa.

Back to the seals, in unexpected places:-
The River Ewe is a short waterway from Loch Maree into the sea (Loch Ewe).*
I have seen a seal in the river, but the local ghillies have a problem with seals eating the game fish off the Loch Maree Hotel shore. That is a long way inland, in fresh water.

IMHO Loch Maree is the most beautiful loch/area in Britain; I await being contradicted :encouragement:


* I think the Morar River near Malaig is the shortest in Britain??
 
The oddest thing I've seen in the water was a Grey squirrel swimming across the Conwy estuary mouth during high water slack from Deganwy to Beacons in a purposeful manner that clearly was an intended crossing. What was more incredible was the speed at which it could swim and that it's fur appeared to remain largely dry or at least aerated. So agile was it we thought it must be an otter or similar when first spotted.


edit. Random pic to show what we saw. Dry and quick little beggars

gsquirl6.jpg

Apparently, and I have not witnessed this, but mink often have been seen swimming across The Minch for the mainland to Lewis, and vice versa. That is a seriously long crossing.
Mink are beginning to be a problem up here, thanks to the "Animal Rights" releases, so I shall keep my eyes peeled and camera at the ready.
 
No need to be red faced imho. We should feel sorry for people who cannot take joy in simple things, or in the excitement of others discovering new things for themselves.

+1

I knew there were seals in Pompey Harbour and I still enjoy watching them... my stomping ground is Chichester, another breeding group there - last year we saw one in my moorings as far north as Hayling bridge and it was just as much fun as seeing one for the first time...
 
One of the great pleasures of being out on the water is seeing wild life. In the wild where its supposed to be.
I never tire of it. I enjoy seeing seals. Except when it has my fish in its mouth.

I was quite excited a few days ago when I saw and identified my first wild "Sea Otter" shortly after telling my mate who pointed it out "There are no Sea Otters round here and Otters don't come this far out". Embarrassing no. It was quite exciting.

Depends what you are used to seeing.
 
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