Pancakes on the Dock

On a sunny day in Sausalito or the port of Angel Island, seals hop up and sit like half-cooked pancakes on the warm piers and docks. Their doughy consistency makes them seem toothless and squishable, but occasionally you can observe them having loud disputes over who can sit where. 

Two of the seals on the dock here raise their front flippers and hold them overhead as if threatening to strike the newcomer. After a few minutes, the newcomer closes its eyes and rolls over until the larger seals leave it alone. 

You are not permitted closer than 150 feet to the seals to avoid bothering them, but if you have a pair of binoculars handy you can zoom in and see what social friction is building up today.