Ear: Bowline

“It was so cold on the coast this morning,” The Oregonian posted on Instagram during that freezing spell last week, “this sea lion stopped by the fire pit at the Bowline Hotel in Astoria!” The post has over 11,000 views so far.

“While we don’t usually see them seeking out artificial heat sources,” the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network told ForrestNews, “this one may have simply been curious, or reacting to colder water temperatures.”

This was a lucky, and rare photo opp but, as a general rule, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries has some advice: “While you may be tempted to get close to cute animals, remember that they are wild animals!

“They have sharp teeth, sharp claws and are potentially dangerous and very capable of inflicting bodily harm. If they feel threatened, or stressed, they will react, and you do not want to be in their way if they do.”

Fortunately, this particular fellow was far more interested in some serious basking than bodily harm. (Photo: Kat McBride)