There are a good few versions of the tales of the Selkie folk from the North Atlantic rim. Often believed to be seals who have lost their skin and become human, or just simply shape-shifters with powers to create storms, break up ships and cast spells. They are also seen as loving and loyal towards humans too, perhaps in the trusting way that seals can be as well.
Some confuse them with mermaids - but mermaids are different creatures altogether of course. A fish tail is just that after all.
They are magical creatures, seals that is. WIth beautiful black eyes and an amazing gracefulness in water. But they are also wild and deserve to be left alone. There have been stories about seals attacking people on the coast of Florida - any animal will do that to fight over food or defend itself. Some of these attacks have been blamed on chemicals in the environment, affecting seals' brains.
Would I go swimming with seals and dolphins - not too sure. I've always believed that the wilderness should be left alone, but I do like playful communicative creatures. Ever since Marine Boy, I've been fond of our sea critters, even studying Life In The Oceans. Sometimes it helps to know some facts when writing stories -not everything can be imagined.
The Mermaid Bride and Other Orkney Folktales by Tom Muir, Kirkwall, 1998, contains 63 short tales
It should say the coast of California, no idea why I had Florida on my mind
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