Fur Seal

I could say that this photograph took hours of searching and waiting around, but I have to admit that actually this guy was in a car park and I captured him as he ambled his way from the undergrowth across the rocks to the water.

Fur Seals are 'eared' seals and differ in this way from the true seal, which is earless and cannot use its hind flippers when on land. This one definitely had ears and was seen walking in a wobbly way. Also they do not have a layer of blubber, as true seals do, and have fur for warmth. In the 1800s Fur Seals were hunted almost to extinction for their fur. Commercial Sealing was stopped by the Government in New Zealand in 1946 and slowly they are making a comeback. They have only been in the Kaikoura area since about 1985.

There is a Seal Colony on the Kaikoura Peninsula, which is where we were today. We followed the Peninsula Walkway, which is a brilliant track along the cliff edge, with the all-important seats and information boards at strategic points along the way. A glorious day, the views of this wonderful coastline were amazing. I have added to my Folio - another picture of the Fur Seal showing exactly why it is not wise to get into its path! I have also added a couple of pictures of the coastline. For an explanation of some of the geology of the area you could look at a geographer's of the day's walk.

We are getting to like Kaikoura very much and will be sorry to leave. But then we say that about most of New Zealand, which is why we are here now!