The Lonely Seal

The meandering curves of the River Rother accentuate the beauty of the muddy banks, as the tidal water flows quickly back to the sea. 

The dark circle to the left of the picture is the seal just beneath the surface

There were no flowers to be seen this early in the season, but there were enticing flocks of small birds impossible to identify, not only because of the swiftness of their flight but because we were walking towards the setting sun.

We met a cyclist on the raised walkway which follows the natural course of the river, decked out with camera and binoculars we chatted for a while. It was he who told us to watch for the seal, usually to be found nearer the fishing boats and the town, but today swimming alone along the length of the river towards Star Lock. 'It's bound to pop it's head up to see who you are', he'd said and sure enough within a few yards there it was. It followed us for quite a while, as if to allow me just one more photograph; at one time racing so quickly under water, a 'v' current indicated where it was. For my other half it was the first time he had seen a seal in the wild!