Fur seal eating a spiny dogfish

Out here in these rich waters I frequently see amazing creatures - albatross, dolphins, innumerable seabirds, and seals. However, what is more amazing is when we see the unexpected - different species, an interaction, or an unusual behavior.

For example - the other week a blue shark swam up near the boat. I've never seen that before. Recently different species of shearwaters have arrived. And I've been observing some unusual behaviors between seals and albatross. Sometimes a fur seal will catch a big fish - a mackerel, salmon, or dogfish - too big to swallow. So it comes to the surface to slap it against the water into smaller pieces. When it does the sea birds immediately take notice.

Today I watched a group of mollymowks (lesser albatross) alight patiently nearby this fur seal to jump in and steal it's fish. Competition tooth and claw! And fascinating to watch.