A sea lion in distress at the beach.
The other day, we were on our evening beach walk when we first saw the sea lion above. I noticed a woman standing near the sea lion. The sea lion would alternate sitting up and lying down. (I first wrote laying down — but I fixed it. Lie and lay have stumped me for years.)
We sat and watched the sea lion struggle to get back into the ocean. She would bob her head up and down while sitting up. Two summers ago, we saw a number of sea lions on the beach in distress. They did the same thing as this one. I called the hotline for marine animals and told them the location of the sea lion.
Then there were three women standing by the sea lion. I walked to the water’s edge to tell them to keep their distance and not to get any closer to the sea lion. I had learned that people and dogs can stress sick sea lions to death!
When I approached the women, I noticed one was wearing a uniform from the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute. That’s who I had called. So, they were already aware. I asked the volunteer if the sea lion was suffering from the same issue that we saw a few years ago. She said yes, and that she was stationed to keep people and dogs away and to observe until sunset. She said they weren’t doing any rescues that night.
I wrote about sea lions HERE and HERE two summers ago. The second link has a video of a sea lion which shows you how they move when affected with Domoic Acid poisoning.
Here’s an excerpt:
The volunteer from the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute explained that the sea lion was suffering from Domoic Acid poisoning, which is caused by algae bloom.
My husband said that algae bloom happens every year. Isn’t that a normal thing? Wouldn’t sea lions be used to it?
She said they were inundated with calls about sick sea lions along the coast and that the Domoic Acid poisoning could be fatal. The volunteers were out observing the sea lions from sunrise to sunset along the beaches. Apparently stress could make the illness worse. She was standing on the beach all day to keep people and dogs away from the sick sea lion.
The volunteer yesterday explained that Domoic Acid poisoning occurs when fish eat the plankton, which isn’t toxic to them. Then the sea lions eat the fish and they get sick.
It was sad to see the sea lion suffering. It was still on beach when we left with the volunteer standing near. On the bright side, she said they’ve had very few Domoic calls this year, unlike two years ago.
Do you confuse Lie and Lay? How about effect and affect? Any others?
What do you think about people approaching a sea lion on the beach? I watched it happen two summers ago, people ignoring the yellow crime tape and signs to stay away.
My grammar is horrible….so yeah. As to people not listening….what else is new?
People are something else!
Yes, I definitely have trouble with lie and lay!
Aww on the sea lion and no. Too bad that they couldn’t get someone out there sooner to help it, but I am glad for the volunteer standing near it to protect it. No, I am not surprised that people don’t stay away even with the yellow tape!
I’m not sure what happens if they rescue the sea lions. It seems like the transport would be too stressful. People can be so thoughtless walking through yellow tape! I’m finally figuring out lie and lay.
Yes lie and lay 🤪 Nature can be cruel. 😕
Lie and lay always got me but I’m figuring it out. It’s hard to watch such a magnificent animal struggle.
Grammar can be a nightmare for me. I get stumped on those all the time so mostly find alternative words 😉 As LA noted in her comment- too many people feel they have a reason, and maybe even a right, not to listen or obey rules.
Aren’t people frustrating? Two summers ago, there were multiple signs telling people to stay away and explaining the danger to the sea lions. Plus, yellow tape wound around posts to fence off an area. But people would duck under the tape with their dogs! I’m with you on finding alternative words if I’m wary.
It puzzles and irritates me about people. I find myself quietly saying just how much I don’t like people in general these days…
I’m grateful that I know enough vocabulary to be able to find alternatives when needed 😉
This year, the people were respectful and kept their distance from the sea lion. So that’s encouraging. The volunteer did a good job explaining the situation to anyone who approached.
It’s so hard seeing wildlife in distress. I hope that sea lion is okay and feeling better by now. People are so selfish and inconsiderate. We saw a shocking number of people standing within 5-7 feet of the bison at Yellowstone posing for pictures, and it’s just infuriating because we don’t know what those animals are feeling… likely someone level of stress.
I’m sure the bison would feel stress. I don’t know if people don’t understand? Or if they don’t care?
I can plead the excess that English isn’t my first language. I’m sorry that the sea lion 🦭 was in such distress and hopefully was rescued next day.
I hope so too. Or that she swam away and felt better.
Hopefully 🤞🏼
Hopefully is right. The volunteer from the marine rescue said that before we were there she watched the sea lion have a seizure. That doesn’t sound good.
Oh no 🦭
Which is more puzzling whether to use lay or lie or why nature does what it does? The poor sea Lion!
Both are puzzling! Yes, it’s so hard to see them possibly dying, confused and hurting.
Lie and lay – oh yeah, I write around that all the time because I’m not sure. Poor Sea Lion. I love that people will volunteer to stand by and keep watch. I hope this one survives!
Yes, I write around lie and lay, too! I had a high school friend criticize me for getting it wrong in a letter I wrote to her! The volunteers for the marine mammals rescue are amazing. They are there from dawn to dusk!
People doing things to annoy and stress wildlife annoy and stress me! Stay away, people.
I wasn’t familiar with this affliction, but hopefully most will recover.
I am one of those people annoyed by the misuse of lie and lay. I’m trying to relax about it. It may just be one of those grammar rules that goes another way based on common usage.
I agree! I was ready to tell the volunteer she was too close after what I learned two years ago. That’s why I charged down the beach to tell the people to get away. When I saw her sweatshirt with the Channel Islands logo, I was so relieved. She was trained and protecting the sea lion. You may be correct. Lay and lie may die like punctuation and other grammar issues.
I would not approach a sea lion on the beach, but I’d snap a few photos of it. Much more lasting.
I’ve given up ever using Lie and Lay with any assurance. I know about Effect [rEsult] and Affect [impAct]. I am sort of clear about Less and Fewer, but it’s a tentative grasp on the meanings.
Yes, I snapped the photos obviously. I never knew rEsult or impAct. Thanks for the tip! That’s a good one 😊