Beasties again!

I know they are just too cute not to blip.

This is Blackie, Brownie, and Randy some California sea lions that were born at my dads house. Shortly after birth the mothers died from some sort of acid poisoning so my dad and his army of volunteers have to fill in as a mother. Eventully they will have to teach them how to catch fish. They are extremely intelligent and each one has there own voice so its easier to tell them apart. They are 3 months old and not due for release until next spring. They are extremely playful (especially when the paddling pool comes out) and have more energy then a 4 year old thats drank a 2 liter bottle of Irn-Bru on christmas morning.


My dad started the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center in 1976 and before that since 1964 he has been catching seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises and even whales for marine theme parks, zoos, and even for the US Navy for their marine mammal program. The US Navy used them for locating unexploded ordnance, locating mines, and even as security for finding enemy frogman. In 1976 he started the center and today it is one of the most successful marine mammal centers in the world. His center has a success rate of over 90% with them being released back into the wild. He has numerous volunteers that make the center so successful and has recieved many awards for his enviromental work including one from Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I remember when I was growing up and having to stay at his house. (Mom and dad were divorced when I was about 3). He would give us chores like washing up the dishes and feeding the beasties as he calls them. At the time my brother and I regarded this as a form of punishment but now I look back on this differently. There was one harbor seal (common seal) in particular I remember with fondness nicknamed "Tanker" because when he was fed he inflated like a balloon. He was only a few months old and extremely cute. He would bounce right up to us and bite on our shoelaces and start growling. He was extremely playful and as far as I can remember he was sent to a zoo in Michigan. Sorry if this is a bit long winded but I think its a good blip.