"Castleton-on-Hudson -- Ken Meyer was driving along and glanced at the Hudson River, where he spotted what appeared to be “a blob on the ice.”

“It first I thought it was a goose,” the village Department of Public Works employee said. He stopped his vehicle, pulled out his cell phone and zoomed in on it.

“It was a seal. Just hanging out there on the ice,” he said. “I’ve lived here for 37 years. I’ve heard of them in the area. Once one was spotted up by the Troy Dam. I’ve never seen one in person, though.”