Entering Oregon, a sign welcomed us on this long bridge leading to Astoria.
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Look at it! Isn't it majestic?
Soon after crossing it and following the watefront, we heard loud screams -
seagulls, thought I.
The screams got louder and louder - hungry seagulls, thought I.
The screams were somehow different from the usual seagulls' shouts.
They sounded like very angry dog-like barks. Very hungry and very upset seagulls, thought I.
We got out of the car and moved to a huge dock.
On both sides, we saw dozens and dozens of big animals with shiny chocolate skin.
Seals? Walruses?
No. They were sea lions.
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They occupied all of the passes and looked very comfortable.
No. They were sea lions.
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They occupied all of the passes and looked very comfortable.
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How would people get into this boat?
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And into this one?
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At some point, we saw a person riding a bike toward us. When he was passing the sea lions, they made aggressive moves, but it looked like he had made this ride before.
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What is the guy on the next picture saying? "Oregon sea lions are the best
sea lions in the world!" Or maybe, "I am the best!" I won't argue.
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What a view from the restaurant where we had an early dinner! Love that
bridge!
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And at last, back out on the Astoria streets.
Don't you like this window on the left? They tricked me! I thought it was real.
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Now, you know where to go if you want to see about a hundred sea lions at
one time. Astoria, Oregon is the place.
Copyright TatyanaS
Wow, what a day! I have never seen sea lions, except at Sea World. I wonder if they would attack a person trying to get to their boat? Carla
ReplyDeleteThey are just incredible and to see them? Wowser! One of them look like it has a number etched in its back. Do they do this to them for some reason? I'd be afraid to walk by them for sure.
ReplyDeleteI read that they've been tagged and taken away, but they come back several weeks later.
ReplyDeleteIt has been years since I visited this area, thanks for the memories. Have fun on your journey.
ReplyDeleteIt's so neat to see wild animals just laying around like that. Just squirrels and deer around here. :-)--Randy
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be kidding me? Incredible...I'll try to remember to show my girls these photos!! What a beautiful place...
ReplyDeleteAmazing wildlife to see in person! We see dolphins and manatees and stingrays on our trips to the coast, but certainly never any sea lions down here! Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteHow funny! and yet maybe not... I wonder if they have lost so much natural habitat that they have no where else to be? I imagine they could pack quite a bite if they wanted to! Great photos! Sweet shop!
ReplyDeleteWow, I have never seen a sea lion other than in a zoo! They look very comfortible!
ReplyDeleteI have never had close encounters of the sea lion kind. They do look intimidating, but how cool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Tatyana! I have never seen a sea lion, but we have seals in abundance. I don't think they're quite this brazen, though. The photography is just stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe window does look real LOL! How fun. I am always so anxious to get across long bridges. Makes me so nervous.Especially after the big bridge that collapsed on the Ohio River many years ago. Silly me. The sea lions must be fascinating to watch and the photographs are beautiful. They may be a little problem for the fishermen but the tourist will love them.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend. Lona
I've only seen these guys in the zoo...what fun to see them up close and personal...Yes, the bridge and water are beautiful! gail
ReplyDeleteТаня! Ты меня разволновала! Когда-то исследователь Стеллер писал, что морские коровы могли стать первыми морскими домашними животными. А львы? Как верные псы стерегут подходы к яхтам и тактично ждут хозяев и чего-нибудь вкусненького. Похоже, что они действительно домашние: на спине одного кто-то выбрил цифру "98"?!
ReplyDeleteЧем они там питаются? Водичка рядом с "98-ым" не обещает богатого улова...
Oh my gosh - that is so great. you really got some amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the Sea Lions expect people to swim to their boats!
ReplyDeleteHi Tatyana - I enjoy how you tell a story with the "reveal" at the end. Very enjoyable and beautiful pictures-
ReplyDeleteWow, who needs a guard dog?
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos Tatyana and I agree about the bridge.
I love Astoria and you know, those sea lions scare me, but I love to watch them!
ReplyDeleteTatyana, this is glorious! What a wonderful day for you. Gorgeous views and lovely wildlife. I'd like to watch the technique for bypassing the sealions and boarding a boat. The biker was brave!
ReplyDeleteSea lions are so entertaining! I've never been to Oregon, but have seen them all along the California coast.
ReplyDeleteThe Musician and I have looked up Astoria a few times as a place to visit. Are you going to tell us/show us more? :-)
aloha,
ReplyDeletei just enjoyed this trip immensely, it is a nice bridge to view from a restaurant...i would love to see the menu now please?
These shots are fantastic! I have never seen a sealion in person..they are so neat! Thanks so much for sharing these with us...quite amusing and awesome!
ReplyDeleteTatanya what a beautiful BLUE that is .. but for the sea lions , a little scary for me .. sea gulls have a name from some eastcoast people .. "dump ducks" .. long story but it is kind of funny .. I loved the painted windows !!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have a great day girl .. but the guy on the bike .. now that is BRAVE ! haha
What an experience, encountering sealions at such close quarters. What a fab place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI live about 45 mins east on Hwy 30 and Astoria is a favorite stomping ground! Great food, views and some good shopping too. In the summer the Sunday Astoria Outdoor Market is great!
ReplyDeleteAstoria, Oregon is on our list of places to visit the next time we visit our son who lives in Portland. It would be a thrill to see all the sea lions. I wonder if the folks in the boats just walk around them, or maybe they somehow shoo them away? It looks like the sea lions are accustomed to the place.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Astoria someday. Growing up in California, we did see many sea lions along the docks, but not as many as you did in Astoria :-) The blue skies were just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteFishermen there are not happy with sea lions since they eat salmon. When the person who rode a bike passed them, some of the lions jumped to the water and one or two leaped at the biker.
I am glad you like Astoria pictures. It's a great place to visit.
Those are some pretty big animals...don't think I would want to tangle with one or the whole herd.
ReplyDeleteHi Tatyana~~ Beautiful photos! Talk about blue sky and water. It's been awhile since I've been up that way. I've forgotten just how wide the river is here. Did you go to Fort Stevens?
ReplyDeleteYou're right about sea lions eating the salmon. Upstream at Bonneville Dam the wildlife people are trapping them. I don't know what to think of that.
Love the photos of the sea lions. They are such beautiful creatures. I imagine they were having a good time sunbathing.
ReplyDeleteI'd be afraid to walk by them too! I've been to Astoria years ago but don't remember seeing them? Maybe I was too busy doing something else? hmmm.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. I just love the PNW coastline.
Have fun in Vegas!!!