Seal Weathervane Swimming – Chasing Fish

The Seal Weathervane with Fish, Phoca vitulina, featured in this image consists of a copper seal chasing a copper fish. The seal’s whiskers, the fish’s fins and tail and the “waves” have been crafted in brass. Because our vanes are made to order, the choice of metals can be modified at the time your order is placed. The seal’s and the fish’s glass eyes are handcrafted eyes with black pupils. Those who order this weather vane may also choose the eye colors they want for their weather vane.

The appeal of this weathervane is the dynamic sense of movement created by the upward swoop of the seal chasing the fish right out of the water. Traditionally, many antique weathervanes were quite static in their depiction of subject matter. Adding a little sense of excitement is an approach we often like to take here at West Coast Weather Vanes. However, we would be equally happy to create a weathervane of seal lying peacefully on top of a rock while basking in the sun. One of the pleasures of making commissioned weathervanes for a living is the ideas our customers bring to us. Some of our favorite designs are the result of someone giving us a call and saying, “Could you make me a ……”

Unlike other marine mammals, seals or pinnipeds have two pairs of flippers on both the front and back, the fore-flippers and hind-flippers. The elbows and ankles are enclosed within the body. Pinnipeds tend to be slower swimmers than cetaceans, typically cruising at 5–15 kn (9.3–28 km/h; 5.8–17 mph) compared to around 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph) for several species of dolphin. However, pinnipeds have better agility and can demonstrate amazing flexibility and speed when the need arises.

Eared seals, like the California sea lion, are capable of bending their necks backwards far enough to reach their hind-flippers and can make dorsal turns. Pinnipeds have several adaptations for reducing drag. In addition to their streamlined bodies, they have smooth networks of muscle bundles in their skin that may increase laminar flow and make it easier for them to slip through water. They also lack arrector pili so their fur can lay flat as they swim.