The winter skies are beautiful this time of year with the sunsets being especially colorful.  Fun things to do in Jan. and Feb. include Pancakes With Penguins at the Mystic Aquarium. The Mystic Seaport hosts Winter's Aweigh in Feb. with events and activities including a winter working dogs demonstration.  See Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Malamutes and more. During Winter's Aweigh, kids have free admission to the Seaport!

Where is Lyddy Island you ask? Lyddy Island is just in front of our beach house and is visible from Latimer Point.  Not only does Lyddy Island provide us with some landscape interest but now it seems to be a favorite spot for some of our local seal population.

It certainly was a wonderful surprise to look out on the island and see them! Over the past several weeks, I have discovered that they keep a very varied schedule.  My best guess is that the seals are most likely to be seen when the tide is low and there is plenty of sunlight.
 
For those of you looking to get closer to the seals, I recommend checking out the Save The Bay Tours in Westerly, RI – A quick 20 minute ride from our house.  These tours run from October into late December depending on weather conditions.  For more information about the seal tours, these Westerly Sun articles Save the Bay Tours Return and Nature and History Bundled Into a Winter Cruise can give you additional insight. My advice is to be sure to bundle up and have a nice set of binoculars handy!
 
In the meantime, I will enjoy the seals on Lyddy Island – for however long that they stay.