22/10/2025
It’s a blue sky morning today, making a welcome change from the heavy rain we’ve been having, and giving me enough motivation to go for a “run” along the clifftop. Afterwards, I walked down the zig-zag to the beach, stopping for the stonechat singing from the gorse on the way down.
Along the promenade, I followed someone’s gaze to see a fox sitting proudly, soaking up the sunshine on a sandy outcrop on the cliffside. Its coat was red and glossy, and it looked picture perfect. But, no, I didn’t take a photo. I had purposely left my phone at home to get away from it, so you’ll just have to believe me!
Further along the promenade, I saw something black and pointy sticking out of the swell close to shore. Not a person and not a stick. When it disappeared, I knew it was a seal. Excitedly, I walked onto the beach and got into position for when it next popped up. Five minutes later, the snout appeared again. It was near to me this time, and the seal (a grey one because of its dog-like snout and, I think, a juvenile male) held its full head out of the water. I could see his eye looking towards the shore and maybe towards me as well.
It was a connection. I felt happy as well as emotional. These moments don’t happen often and, for some people, never happen at all. It reminded me of when I got to know a group of pinnipeds, working in a zoo. I had carried out a behavioural study on them and also became their keeper, helping to feed and train five Californian sealions. My one was called Kipper! Each animal in the group was unique and highly intelligent, like dogs with flippers, and it was clear that their training programme kept them engaged, reduced aggression, increased play behaviour, prolonged feeding times and meant that veterinary care could be carried out stress-free, without the need for sedation.
It reminded me that we share this world with so much more than just ourselves, although we have created such a human-centric view of the place. If we can all find a little more time to love it, we may not forget to care for it.