'Nature unfolded': Hiker rides a rollercoaster of emotion, witnessing the first 30 minutes of a baby harbor seal's harrowing life in the wild

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 24, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Nature is insane. To witness the unfolding of nature is like watching a meteor travel across the cosmos: Enchanting and visceral. 

This hiker witnessed all of the glories of nature all at the same time after stumbling across a harbor seal giving birth in the sheltered coves of coastal California. Captivated by the drama of birth, mystified by the joys of the pup's very first swim, and horrified by the dangers of a seal's post-birth world, the hiker went on an emotional rollercoaster ride in only 30 minutes of surveying the seal's new life. 

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  • Wildlife encounters like these are few and far between, but when we get to be a part of the natural world's process, it can feel like magic. With David Attenborough's voice narrating in our heads, we can feel the energy of the critters around us, and we can fully appreciate the beauty and raw power of nature—both for good and bad. Ultimately, this little harbor seal got a crash course in the real world after being born, enjoying the pleasures of a calm swim, the wash of the crashing waves, and the loving pats of a fierce seal mother. 

  • Before I realized I was about to witness a wildlife rollercoaster
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  • Watch a harbor seal birth in Point Lobos Reserve, and so many first moments that followed in the span of half an hour. It blew my mind to watch as nature unfolded-seagulls eating the
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  • afterbirth, the pup looking confused as heck and then seeking comfort and nourishment, the mom leading it to the water and providing lots of encouragement, and finally a threat emerged... a lurking seal scared the
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  • mom and provoked a fight. The pup kept getting swept away and banged into rocks by the waves as the mom was busy fighting off the other seal... it was heart wrenching to watch that happen from above, not knowing what was going on or how serious it was, and then I had to leave because the park was closing.
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  • here A seal pup is being born in real time!
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  • seal pup's first moments earth side.
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  • Seagulls eating the placenta!
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  • Time to swim!
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  • *boop*
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  • Baby's first swim! So joyous and sweet
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  • a leisurely roll
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  • some pats
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  • suddenly things take a turn... this other seal had been lurking too close and mom wasn't haven't it
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  • meanwhile baby seal gets swept into the rocks repeatedly
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  • mom to the rescue with more love and pats
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  • I had to leave then because the park was closing. I hope this seal pup is okay!
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  • Did that other seal finally leave them in peace? Hopefully the seal was fine and nothing bad happened - but the ranger told me 3 pups had already been lost that pupping season. It
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  • made me realize just how wild their lives are they're constantly confronting survival. And yet so sweet and joyful and silly at the same time. Such a beautiful chapter to witness, finally sharing it!
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  • Of course, this is from a far distance away from an overlook- hence the poor super zoomed in quality! These seals are in a protected cove - no humans can get anywhere close to them nor should they. Never approach seals or any wild animal.
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sea wholesome baby adorable wild animals seal ocean cute sea animals marine biology season 5 wildlife baby seals Video wilderness wild
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