strange encounters whilst kayaking at sea

[carl4953]

I just wondered if anyone had come into contact with wild life whilst out paddling, dolphins coming to say hello, seals giving you a nudge that kind of thing ??

[THURSOMAN]

Yup had a few encounters.
Most recent was a porpoise who happened to be swimming by my side in the same direction I was going. I called over to say hello and it started to swim towards me till it decided it was too risky.

[izzetafox]

My favourite was paddling to the Gwylan Islands in Aberdaron bay and being surrounded by puffins flying around me with beaks full of fish and the gulls harrassing them. All seemed totally oblivious to me.
You can see them on telly but to be amongst them was great.

[kerny]

One of these passing your yak must be awsome, but several, wow...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-VBBAVIklU

[dev35]

down at trefor there are dolphines and seals you can see often great to see

[carl4953]

well how funny is this, i launched at rhos on sea ( as i live there !! lol ) paddled all the way to the little orme ! which took alot longer that i thought it would !! anyway i got to the little orme, sorted my rods out, and then i heard a exhalation of breath which if i am honest scared the sh*t out of me, but it was a lovely grey seal with the biggest eyes i have seen ! she/he stayed around for 5 or 10 minutes and came as close as 3 feet from my yak to say hi and to see what the hell was going on ! lol.

i really cant believe not only i started this thread and contributed to it but i had the privilidge of seeing such a wonderful creature and only half a mile off shore, even though i didnt catch i dont think my day was a complete waste !

[kerny]

It's always a pleasure when a seal comes to visit you while out on the yak. I don't know if its just me but as soon as i get my camera out to take a pic, it will go all shy and take a dive , I put my camera away and as sure as eggs are eggs it will come up near the yak again. ;D Anyone else have the same problem ?

[SEAJUNKY]

Carl the seals at the little orme, I say seals as last year there was 3 of them, a cow a pup, and a very bad tempered Bull who keeps breaching behind your kayak. On occasion he will give your kayak a bit of a nudge, just to say back off this is my place. They live in angel bay. And don't make the mistake of feeding them, as this can cause problems as well. But I must agree they are nice to see. I wouldn't want to hook one though??? ;D ;D ;D

[THURSOMAN]

Always see seals where I am and thankfully they are shy although curious.

One of the boat anglers up here hooked one and ended up scrapping with it for well over an hour.
Turned out the angler was pirking and foul hooked the seals tail.
Poor fella.

There is a tame seal the boat fishers hand feed.
"Sammy the seal" is him name.
Certainly (as advised) would not feed seals myself but they are great to see on the way out to your fishing mark but not so good when they are at your hot spot.

[carl4953]

i must admit, i was tempted to give it a mackerel but decided not to, and as for my hot spot, i am still trying to find one ! lol

[keith]

I had a close encounter with a big male seal around the back of the little Orme last summer. Apparantly it is a male who protects a cave where his female gives birth. I thought he was friendly until he started bumping the back of my boat. He was faster than I could paddle, much to the amusement of the wife and kids,paddling about 50 yards in front. I've got some pics somewhere, I'll look them out.

[kerny]

Looking forward to seeing them Keith.