Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery
December to May, there is 750 feet of closed beach on either side of the rookery
Seal rookery, Carpinteria, California
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The harbor (or harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas, making them the most widely distributed of the pinnipeds.
Common seals are brown, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 meters and a mass of 132 kilograms. Females outlive males (30--35 years versus 20--25 years). Common seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. Males may fight over mates underwater and on land. Females are believed to mate with the strongest males and generally bear a single pup, which they care for alone. Pups are able to swim and dive within hours of birth, and they develop quickly on their mothers' fat-rich milk. A fatty tissue layer called blubber is present under their skins and helps to maintain body temperature.
Their global population is 5-6 million, however despite their name they are not as common as the grey seal in the UK. Seal hunting or sealing, once a common practice, is now illegal in many nations within the animal's range.
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Harbor Seal Preserve - Carpinteria Beach - Jan. 21, 2011
Carpinteria is a charming coastal town just south of Santa Barbara, CA.
One of the most interesting secrets of Carpinteria is the Seal Preserve. The Harbor Seal Preserve is home to almost 100 adult seals who give birth to their cubs on the Carpinteria shoreline. The beach is closed 750 feet on either side of the rookery (as their nesting area is called) from December through May. The seals are there all year long, but in the spring the pups don't have the thick layer of fat that they need to protect themselves from the cold ocean waters.
This colony has existed for over a century. Remarkably, this seal colony is only one of two such places along the Southern California coast that is readily accessible to the public.
The seal colony is a special place for the citizens of Carpinteria, who's goal is to make certain the colony is preserved so that future generations may enjoy watching the seals as they nurture their young or haul out to rest.
Pacific harbor seals are true seals: on land, they move like big blubbery caterpillars; in the water, they swim with their hind flippers.
The harbor seals usually bear their young in February and March. Few pups are born as early as December or as late as May. The pups usually weigh 12 to 15 pounds at birth. By the time they are four to six weeks old, when they are weaned, they can weigh 35 to 50 pounds or more.
Harbor seals feed on fish, octopuses, some crabs, and other bottom-dwelling organisms. They can dive well over 1000 feet and stay down for more than 45 minutes.
Harbor seals generally return to the same haul-out area year after year. They usually live and feed within a day's swim of the colony.
Harbor seals can live more than 40 years. An adult harbor seal can weigh over 300 pounds. There are a few visible differences between males and females.
Harbor Seal Preserve at Carpinteria Beach
Jan. 21, 2011 - Drove up to visit the Harbor Seals on Carpinteria Beach.
Each winter and spring from December to May the stretch of beach between the Bluffs and Veneco's pier hosts almost 300 seals giving birth to and raising this year's batch of pups.
During this time, the beach is closed 750 feet on either side of the rookery (as their nesting area is called). The seals are there all year long, but in the spring the pubs don't have the thick layer of fat that they need to protect themselves from the cold ocean waters.
This colony has existed for over a century. Remarkably, this seal colony is only one of two such places along the Southern California coast that is readily accessible to the public.
The seal colony is a special place for the citizens of Carpinteria, who's goal is to make certain the colony is preserved so that future generations may enjoy watching the seals as they nurture their young or haul out to rest.
Pacific harbor seals are true seals: on land, they move like big blubbery caterpillars; in the water, they swim with their hind flippers.
The harbor seals usually bear their young in February and March. Few pups are born as early as December or as late as May. The pups usually weigh 12 to 15 pounds at birth. By the time they are four to six weeks old, when they are weaned, they can weigh 35 to 50 pounds or more.
Harbor seals feed on fish, octopuses, some crabs, and other bottom-dwelling organisms. They can dive well over 1000 feet and stay down for more than 45 minutes.
Harbor seals generally return to the same haul-out area year after year. They usually live and feed within a day's swim of the colony.
Harbor seals can live more than 40 years. An adult harbor seal can weigh over 300 pounds. There are a few visible differences between males and females.
While the seals and their pups are vulnerable, Seal Watch is there to make sure they are safe from human intrusion and keep hard data on the numbers and activities of the seals. This all volunteer organization has watched the seals since 1991.
Carpinteria Seal Rookery
#Carpinteria #SealRookery #Seal
Harbor seal pupping season at Carpinteria Harbor Seal Sanctuary
During December through May, harbor seals at the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Sanctuary are having pups and the pups are nursing from their mothers. Here are a few scenes I shot of the rookery and of the nursing pups. I shot with a Sony V1U at 1080 30p.
For more information contact Jim Knowlton at Blue Ocean Productions:
Some of these scenes can be found on my website:
Harbor Seals
California Harbor Seals in surf at Carpinteria Bluffs..
Carpinteria Bluffs is one of only a few sites on the mainland in southern California where harbor seals give birth. At the Bluffs there is a small protected beach near an oil service dock where they haul out. On this December day about 100 seals were present with a high tide that had pushed them to the back edge of the beach.
Carpinteria Seal Reserve
Annie and I at the Carpinteria Seal Rookery, 10 miles south of Santa Barbara, CA.
(2/12/10)
The Carpinteria Seal Santuary
A video of the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary in Carpinteria California. It's fascinating to watch the seals jockeying for position on the narrow beach at the base of the bluff. There was also some coming and going of ships transferring workers to and from the offshore oil rigs.
Harbor Seal Key Large O And Her New Pup at Hopkins
This is the 3rd Live birth at Hopkins Beach during the 2014 Harbor seal pupping season. This is Key Large-O's premature pup. Key Large-O was Cupid's mom who gave birth last season at Lovers Point.
Seal Watch 2016
facebook.com/carpsealwatch 805.684.2247
Email: carpsealwatch@gmail.com
The Carpinteria rookery is one of four remaining rookeries on the Southern California coast.
Volunteers provide educational information to visitors from around the globe. Approximately 27,000 people visited the rookery in 2009 to observe our harbor seals. Seal Watch volunteers are at the rookery from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week. We commit to one, 2-hour shift, once a week. Some volunteers serve as substitutes. Carpinteria Seal Watch offers volunteers a unique opportunity to be in nature, observe our seals, serve the community and have a great time.With the support of Seal Watch, there are seals at Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery and the public can view them in their spectacular natural setting from the bluff top above.
Visitors:
Over 1560 people came to view the seals. Represented locales included Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Germany, New Zealand, France, Canada, Mexico, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Texas, New York, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Arizona, Vermont, Colorado, and Maryland. Volunteers also met a 4H group and a Westmont College class
Disturbances:
The seals were scared by viewers on the low bluff, an oil worker, a helicopter, and visiting military on their way to exercises on the oil platforms.
Natural History Notes:
Heavy surf has scoured much of the sand from the beach, exposing many more rocks as well as gas, oil, and electric pipes serving the offshore platforms. In this area of California, high surf carries sand offshore and to the east and south. Assuming there is adequate sand replacement from streams during the winter, the sand is replenished on the beach during periods of lesser surf. Summers along the Santa Barbara area south coast typically see little surf because summer south swells are blocked by the Channel Islands.
The Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary is an easy hike or bike ride from town by way of the Coastal Vista Trail. The trail runs for miles along the bluffs offering great views overlooking the ocean. Several lookout points offer a picturesque view of Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands along with the local community of harbor seals sunbathing on the shore. The Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve is home to almost 100 adult seals who give birth to their cubs on the Carpinteria shoreline; one of the four harbor seal rookeries remaining along the southern California coast.
Directions from Linden Avenue: Hike or bike south along the bluffs (the Coastal Vista Trail) that leads through Tar Pits State Park, then along the railroad tracks out to the seal rookery. This amazing trail stretches just over a mile without ever leaving the waters edge.
Stop on the bluffs above the seal preserve, to quietly watch the seals playing in the water and sunbathing on the shoreline. The best spot for viewing is well marked with a sign, and has a bench for resting. The sanctuary is a protected birthing habitat for harbor seals from December 1 through May 31st. Tip: Bring binoculars for the best view, please be respectful and do not attempt to approach the seals from the beach.
Carpinteria is home to a Harbor Seal Rookery. SEALWATCH volunteers monitor the rookery to inform the public about the seals and laws that protect them. Volunteers also collect data about seal behavior and seal disturbances.
What to do if you see a seal or seal pup on the beach?
Do not touch the animal. Seals are protected by the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act that restricts handling to only licensed persons.
Stay a good distance away from the animal so as not to frighten it. Caution other beach goers to do the same. Ask dog owners to remove their pets from the beach.
Seal pups are often left on the beach while their mothers feed. Stay far away and help to prevent others from disturbing the pup. If you approach the pup you may prevent the mother from returning. Do not walk between the water and the pup.
Call one of the following to make a report or ask for further information.
The Seal Rookery beach area is closed between December 1 and May 31, of each year, to protect pregnant mothers and pups from disturbances.
The closure area is located 750’ to the east and west of the Casitas Pier, pursuant to Municipal Code 12.24.090.
Disturbances are also prohibited by the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, which can impose a fine up to $10,000 and or one year in prison for disturbances of the seals.
More Information and Emergency Contacts:
SEALWATCH Contact Info: (805) 684-2247
Marine Mammal Hotline: (805) 687-3255
State Beach: (805) 684-2811
For Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services: All Emergencies: 911
Non Emergencies: (805) 683-2724
City of Carpinteria: (805) 684-5405
Pasadena, Malibu, Carpinteria, Big Sur, San Francisco with Mavic Drone
Mavic drone footage from Malibu,Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, San Francisco
04/17
A day at a seal haul-out during pupping season
A day at a seal haul-out during pupping season. Seal haulout in Puget Sound, Washington.
See: WDFW SealCam
Harbor Seal Pups of Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay, California April 2010. Harbor seal pups by the aquarium, wiggleing and digging in the sand
Harbor Seal in the surf
High tide at Carpinteria Bluffs harbor seal rookery.
Seals Playing in the Surf
At the Seal Rookery, the seals will be hanging for another month. The birthing is done. Most babies are weaned already. The water was very clear today so it was fun to watch them playing underwater. This herd has about 350 seals. 10 a.m. count was 115 adults, 10 pups. Many adults were out hunting in the clear waters. April 26, 2013. Carpinteria Bluffs. Carpinteria, California.
Venoco's Measure J
This is a film by local Carpinteria filmaker Grace Jackson that raises the key issues of the June 8, 2010 ballot measure attempt by Venoco, Inc to bypass our City government and get a massive oil drilling project approved by the voters for a onshore site next to residential neighborhoods, the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve, the Harbor Seal Sanctuary and the State Park. If passed, this measure would exempt Venoco and its project from further local environment review or oversight. This project, if approved, could operate for 20 or 30 years or, conceivably, forever. (running time: 6:42 min)
Tar ooze at Carpinteria beach
This video was uploaded from an Android phone.
How Harbor Seal get into Water
San Diego La Jolla Harbor Seals Casa Beach