Seal on the sand

An unusual visitor to Portobello beach this afternoon. It attracted quite a crowd, mostly watching from a distance back on the Prom. Of course a few people wanted to get closer to take a picture (or else were so engrossed in looking at their phones they didn't even notice it and almost tripped over it), but mostly it was left in peace. I had my longer lens on the camera and so could get the shot above without going onto the sand. Several people had phoned the SSPCA but the advice (as usual in such cases) was to try not to get too close, and definitely keep dogs on a lead nearby and the seal would probably head back out to sea on its own. It did seem fairly alert and active and not particularly distressed. In the end someone from the SSPCA did come by and approached the seal to check it out. At that, the seal clearly decided its peaceful sunbathing was over and headed back to the water. After the seal had swum off into the waves the SSPCA woman said it had a minor scracth on its face but otherwise seemed fine so hopefully it will be okay.