Erosion at Coalcliff Beach caused by the recent flooding didn't worry this local resident which took the opportunity to have a snooze on the exposed rocks.
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A photographer for the Facebook group Illawarra and surrounds marine life sightings captured video footage of the semi-aquatic creature on Wednesday afternoon, casually lying on the grass as waves lapped up to the existing sandbags.
"Pretty much all of the sand was washed off shore," he said.
"In my 40 years I've never seen Coalcliff like this. It has washed away in parts in the past but I haven't seen it like this."
The northern Illawarra beach is usually filled with dark rocky sand and pebbles, however the recent pounding and hazardous surf has taken all the small rocks out and exposed "large boulders".
In the seal's defence, the witness they were probably taking a breather before braving the rough swell again.
"The seal was resting as the usual rock ledges were too rough for it," he said.
"Up on the grass is a safe place for it to re coup some energy."
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