 up out of the water amidst a group of people, stayed on the sand even after the children and adults formed a ring around it. The seal's behavior was very odd, very out of place, and I've not seen this occurring here before, even though I've been around these coastal waters all my life. Also, there were no gulls flying in the area. It was a notable absence. Also very curious, is this a possible precursor to the big one? Kurt in Encinitas.