Reflections Of Seal
12" X 24" oil on canvas
Original art is available
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Harbour seals at the Oak Bay Marina in Victoria, BC. . At one time, this marina was the site of “Sealand of the Pacific,” a tourist destination aquarium, complete with pools for seals and killer whales. When I was young, we visited Sealand on a number of occasions. It was always fun and exciting. Especially popular with the kids was to sit in the front bleachers and get splashed by the leaping whales. And although spectators were amply warned about sitting in certain places, many ended up both drenched and shocked (and frequently angered), clutching soaked camera equipment.
Shows was made of feeding times, which were numerous throughout the day at both the whale and seal pools. I still recall a particular seal, who was a favourite among the trainers. His name was Tea Bag – in this case, both an adjective and a noun, based on his portly silhouette. Tea Bag, a consummate comedian, was notorious for pinching food from the other seals. It was quite a challenge for trainers to get food to the four or five other eager mouths in the pool. Tea Bag was sharp enough to understand the feeding order and would insinuate himself directly between the trainer and his or her intended target. He was the star of the show.
Seal and closed in 1991, and the seals were set free. But there are still always seals to be seen in the waters at the site, waiting for some soft touch with a kind heart and spare Toonie ... just enough for a small bag of ‘herring-sicle’ from the marina store.
I’m often at the marina, as sailing is a passion for me. When I see those seals lounging around the dock, I think of Tea Bag and wonder if these are his children or grand-children. They sport the same rotund physique, and they’re smart enough to know that all they have to do is eat, swim, and look cute. Not bad work if you can get it. Mark Heine
12" X 24" oil on canvas
Original art is available
Contact us
Harbour seals at the Oak Bay Marina in Victoria, BC. . At one time, this marina was the site of “Sealand of the Pacific,” a tourist destination aquarium, complete with pools for seals and killer whales. When I was young, we visited Sealand on a number of occasions. It was always fun and exciting. Especially popular with the kids was to sit in the front bleachers and get splashed by the leaping whales. And although spectators were amply warned about sitting in certain places, many ended up both drenched and shocked (and frequently angered), clutching soaked camera equipment.
Shows was made of feeding times, which were numerous throughout the day at both the whale and seal pools. I still recall a particular seal, who was a favourite among the trainers. His name was Tea Bag – in this case, both an adjective and a noun, based on his portly silhouette. Tea Bag, a consummate comedian, was notorious for pinching food from the other seals. It was quite a challenge for trainers to get food to the four or five other eager mouths in the pool. Tea Bag was sharp enough to understand the feeding order and would insinuate himself directly between the trainer and his or her intended target. He was the star of the show.
Seal and closed in 1991, and the seals were set free. But there are still always seals to be seen in the waters at the site, waiting for some soft touch with a kind heart and spare Toonie ... just enough for a small bag of ‘herring-sicle’ from the marina store.
I’m often at the marina, as sailing is a passion for me. When I see those seals lounging around the dock, I think of Tea Bag and wonder if these are his children or grand-children. They sport the same rotund physique, and they’re smart enough to know that all they have to do is eat, swim, and look cute. Not bad work if you can get it. Mark Heine
