Since yesterday we get a special welcome when arriving at the mesocosms. A group of seven harbour seals has declared a bunch of rocks next to our mesocosm playground their new home. I like to think that they are thrilled sitting in the front row and watching this funny show of orange creatures dancing around some strange six-packs.

Our new neighbors enjoying the afternoon sun.

But maybe they couldn’t care less about the orange invasion and simply enjoy the sunshine on seal rock, just like their parents and grandparents always did.

The seals have been sighted around the mesocosms many times before, poking their heads out of the water to watch us doing our things. Seeing them all together now catching some rays of sunlight while snoozing on seal rock sends a signal of spring-time just being around the corner – despite the icy covering on our mesocosms. Spring-time, wouldn’t that be nice?!

…sunny but icy-cold