← previous day

Previous Next

2F261F

574A42

Kaikoura I

Posted by Adiemus (Christchurch, New Zealand) on 1 February 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

Fur seals have returned to Kaikoura in the past 15 - 20 years, and are now a real part of the tourist scene. You can swim with the seals, you can look at the seals, but never, ever stand down-wind from them! They have a thick and very smelly oil in their fur that rubs off on the rocks, forming a stain. Very slippery if you stand on it.

Hi guys!
This year I'll be putting up fewer shots, but hopefully improving the quality at the same time. Sort of a 'best of' if you like.
This community is terrific in so many ways - I love it even if I don't often comment. The people on here make it a great place to be.
I'm also writing a health-related blog - if you're interested, hop on over to http://healthskills.wordpress.com/
and make yourself known!

Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (16)

objectif-plume from Belgium

superbe photo

1 Feb 2007 5:52am

@objectif-plume: Thank you! He/she was very cute, but very smelly!

Roland from Amstelveen, Netherlands

Very cool indeed!! On the rocks so clumsy and in the water so elegant...Did you kayak with them as well? Looking forward to seeing the rest!

1 Feb 2007 6:21am

@Roland: Not this time, we took the kayaks with us, but didn't put them in the water. When it was fine we jumped into the boat and dived, but when it wasn't it was blowing a gale. But it's always a fantastic place to go for relaxation and 'earthing out'!

Kaushal from Netherlands

Nice frame!

1 Feb 2007 6:48am

@Kaushal: Thank you!

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Oh this is such a cute photo! Nice capture

1 Feb 2007 7:33am

@badala: Thank you! They have beautiful eyes...

Manuela Photography from Hainburg (near Frankfurt/Main), Germany

Great! It looks so velvety, great tones.

1 Feb 2007 9:16am

Jerry from Tampa, United States

Adiemus - this is excellent! Great capture!

1 Feb 2007 10:44am

Still from Valence, France

A cute guy!

1 Feb 2007 11:26am

Stu from Kyoto, Japan

looking great at 450mm Bronnie! my goodness! excellent capture

1 Feb 2007 12:11pm

@Stu: Thank goodness for tripods!!!

Anne from White Rock, Canada

This kind of seal look really pretty! Love the colour and the detail!. As Stu says "450mm Bronnie" its a wonderful shot.

1 Feb 2007 12:17pm

Sidonie from Sydney, Australia

Never mind the seal - look at that rock! Perfect background and at 450mm!

1 Feb 2007 1:10pm

@Sidonie: Thank you! Tripods are an amazing invention!

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Excellent exposure!

1 Feb 2007 3:27pm

Martine Lapointe from Québec, Canada

Nice shot! It's cool to be able to see seasl so near!

1 Feb 2007 5:11pm

Michael Zhang from New York City, United States

I like the "background" and texture that the rocks create behind the subject. Great shot!

1 Feb 2007 10:38pm

@Michael Zhang: Thankyou - it was pretty hard not to shoot them against the rock, it's everywhere! I have some others that I'll show later in the water and up against the seaweed.

Darren from Japan

Nice shot there and story to go together.

1 Feb 2007 11:29pm

@Darren: Thanks! but wait, there's more!!! for the next exciting instalment, just visit tomorrow!

Ahraht from Loures, Portugal

I will be back for tomorrow's. This one is worth the effort. Such a friendly animal. Great shot.

2 Feb 2007 12:13am

@Ahraht: Just don't get too close, they can be quite grumpy and snap with the most horrible breath. Actually, the advice is to not get closer than 10 metres, but this is quite difficult. They sprawl all over the garden and behind the bushes and are so well camouflaged (apart from that fishy odour!) that it's very easy to stumble right on top of them!

Dolphin from Italy

nice subject

2 Feb 2007 9:47pm

next day →

Nikon D50
1/400 second
F/5.6
450 mm (35mm equiv.)