Thursday, January 16, 2014

Another Rare Creature...

...visits Ocracoke.

Watch this video of a harbor seal that Amy made yesterday as we were walking down the beach. If you keep watching you will see his head surface now and then between the waves.




 To see a few still photos, visit our Facebook page.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a 1921 letter written by a former slave, Harrison Williams, to Ocracoke native, Martha Ann Howard Wahab. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112113.htm.

19 comments:

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    1. It's better than that. Too bad our Internet connection crashed when it did.

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  2. Julie S7:34 AM

    Do you often have seals at O I? Where did this one most likely come from and will he stay around or leave quickly? What attracts them? Do they usually come in the winter? Thanks.

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    1. It is unusual to see a seal on our beach. I don't know the answers to your other questions, but I'm sure the few other times I've seen a seal have been in the winter.

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  3. Did Amy really make a harbor seal?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Al, the NPS on Ocracoke will be using the seal on all of its official stationery.

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  4. Julie S9:28 AM

    Are the Snowy Owls still around? Thanks.

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    1. I'm not sure. Haven't heard much about them in the last few days.

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    2. I just heard from Peter Vankevich. Both snowy owls were seen yesterday at the South Point.

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  5. We had a number of snowy owls in December on the shores of Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio including near downtown Cleveland.

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  6. Anonymous10:10 AM

    Had you heard of the seal's presence on the island prior to spotting it yourself, Philip? And were you able to observe it for awhile before it took to the water? It seems from the video as if you were able to get fairly close before it headed offshore. As I always say, just one more reason to like Ocracoke--and your blog, Philip.

    Thanks--as always.

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    1. Amy noticed the form on the beach first, and alerted me. Initially Amy thought it might be a piece of driftwood. As we approached, the seal started to move, and then scurried back into the water even after we stopped.

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  7. Anonymous11:13 AM

    Good job Amy. was this video with a cell phone? Perhaps all the questions from your readers would be best directed to a Zoo Keeper or a reference librarian at the library. I bet librarians have a lot of time on their hands these days with e books and Google and wikipedia. A reference librarian would welcome some one on one time with a patron. Personally, I felt sorry for the little guy, all alone perhaps his days are numbered.DD

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    1. The video was taken with my Lumix compact camera. The seal seemed pretty perky to me. I don't think he was ill.

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    2. Anonymous1:18 PM

      Safety in numbers Mr. Howard. He could be lunch for a shark!

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    3. As Tennyson observed, nature is "red in tooth and claw."

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  8. Anonymous11:21 AM

    A harbor Seal Visits Ocracoke


    A Harbor Seal visits Ocracoke ,

    He awakes from his slumber and starts to lumber

    away from the approach of a beachcomber.

    The rest of his pod is out of reach so he sought refuge upon the beach

    A child of the wild his guard must not drop

    he is on the go and must not stop

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  9. Anonymous2:24 PM

    Reminds me of the charming John Sayles film The Secret of Roan Inish, set in remote islands off the coast of Ireland. At this chilly, blustery time of year--especially on the heels of your visiting seal--that would be a great film to settle in and watch.

    :-)

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  10. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Great video!!!! NC Mainlander never knew seals (at least one) are on Ocracoke Island. Keep sharing the wonderful nature pics and videos with your bloggers. Fascinating!

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