White for Christmas

We’re finally starting to thaw out after a historic snowfall last week. Quite by accident, I’ve lived here for 20 years and this is the most snow I’ve seen at sea level in all that time. And although it certainly complicated getting ready for the holidays, I have to admit it was grand to enjoy a truly White Christmas.

Continuing my tradition of paddling after the morning gift exchange this year I headed over to Ketron Island to see what the island would look like blanketed in snow. I had the waterways to myself although on the way back I had the opportunity to observe some curious California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) behavior.

From a distance I spotted what I thought was a root ball floating near the old Steilacoom Marina (which I just recently found out is popular with divers for the wrecks located just offshore of its docks) but as I drew closer I realized that it was a hand full of sea lions circling the object. I was closer then recommended and I quickly back paddled, but as I did, I realized that the object being circled was the upraised fin of a sea lion. I’ve seen them briefly extend a fin in the past but this guy kept it up the whole time I observed him. It eventually dawned on me that this sea lion was sadly dead and his mates where standing guard on the body.

I wonder if sea lions, like elephants, morn their dead?