A Mother Seal's Love

Shell Beach Tidepool, La Jolla

Since today is Mother's Day, I thought of writing something related to a mother's natural love. A mother's great and natural love for her offsprings is not limited to humans alone, but that natural love is present in other life's forms. In honor of all mothers, this post shares images of a mother's natural love. Love, the most heartfelt, the most caring, is a natural companion of motherhood.

Mom Seal and Pup Feeding Pair

The absence of mother's love is almost contrary to nature. Since I live close to the ocean, and the most observable wildlife for me would be the marine mammals, I decided to share some images here of a mother seal's nurturing love for her young.

Mother Seal Teaching Her Pup Independence

Harbor seals are marine mammals. In San Diego, they are mostly found hauling out on beaches near La Jolla Children's Pool, or on top of rocks. They have to haul out everyday because they need to absorb heat from the sun and they can not maintain their body temperature if they stay in the frigid water of the Pacific coast all the time. They choose a haul out area which is abundant with fish, shell fish, octupus, squid and othe small marine creatures.

Another reason why seals haul out is to give birth. The pups (young seals) are raised in the beaches and estuaries because they are still not old enough to swim fast and they still have to grow blubbers to keep them warm in the cold seas.

Mom and Pup Pair on their Swimming Lesson

The mother seals teach their pups to swim and find their feed in the tide pools and shallow waters near the beach. The pups are born with very weak immune system, they develop their immunity as they drink their mother's milk.

Mom Seal Guiding Her Pup on Shore

The mother seal frequently goes out alone to sea to feed, leaving her pup alone on the beach. While walking along the Pacific shores, you may encounter a pup seal alone on the beach, please know it is most probably not abandoned. The mother may not be that far feeding in the seas. If a lone pup is seen, please do not attempt to move, touch or disturb the pup, as the mother seal may have a difficulty finding her pup later. Also, seal has very strong sense of smell, if mother smells her pup has been handled by humans, she may not return to take care of the pup.

After the mother seal is done feeding, she returns to her pup and lavish her pup with attention. She grooms, caresses, kisses, nozzles her baby constantly. They are such a sweet sight of a mother's tender, caring, and nurturing love. She also nurses her baby with her nutirent rich milk. They spend much time playing, lying on sand, and sleeping.

Mom and Pup Sleeping Together

When the baby seal has gained enough weight, learned how to swim fast to catch their feed, their mom will finally let them be.

Happy Mother's Day to all our moms.

♥♥