Snowshoeing at Hecksher State Parl

Let me prefix this with our excursion yesterday 2/20/11 at Cupsoque Beach - an organized Seal Walk-

http://cresli.org/cresli/seals/sealwalk.html - very interesting - very windy and very cold.  But we learned a thing or two about Pinnpeds (fin footed mammals)...harbor seals, grey seals - average weights, how to keep from distressing them, how they cool themselves etc. etc.

Yesterday there were about 10 -12 seal we noticed from afar.  It was great because I really never thought of seals off Long Island. I lived in California and seals were very common off the coast.

And then came the snow last night - and we are so into embracing winter and snow!  We went to Connetquot Park and sadly it is closed on Mondays :(   - so we decided to try Hecksher to Connetquot Greenbelt Trail for snowshoeing.  Good plan! We had to park at Field 1 and get to Field 7 - to enter the Greenbelt Trail........ shortly after - near to the next closed concession stand laid (lain?) a seal.  We were respectful, mindful not to distress him but wanted to get close.  We watched, waited, photographed, closed in, waited, watched - and then thought for sure he was hurt - because he cared NOT about us.

We called the Coastal Research Education Society of LI - and left a message about our concern - and left him for our snow shoe adventure.  Of course, we returned to check on him - still resting calmly - alone on the shore.  We slowly got closer and closer for better images and videos... and finally he  moved himself into the water and swam away.  We watched as his head bobbed out quite a distance from shore. Absolutely beautiful!  What an encounter!

So my question to you - what are the chances of that??????

Here are a few .....of too many photos....enjoy...

Some interesting facts about seals (from CRESLI website)

Seals are able to hold their breath for a long time during dives, using oxygen stored in the blood and muscles as well as the lungs.

Seals have a thick blubber layer and a counter-current heat exchange system which combined with fur, protects them from the loss of heat to the water and the frigid climates in which they live.

Seal have large eyes which enable them to see quite well both above and below the water.

Seals have a well developed sense of hearing and sensitive whiskers. Their keen senses allow seals to be impressive predators.

Seals feed mainly on fish, crustaceans and shellfish. Some, such as the leopard seal, feed on penguins, and the crabeater seal feeds almost exclusively on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill.