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New Zealand Fur Seal


New Zealand Fur Seal
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-16
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: South Island Winter Holiday 2005
Date Submitted: 2005-08-16 4:00
Viewed: 1661
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On our way to Picton from Kaikoura, we stopped to watch a large Seal Colony at rest and play. This guy was having a ball surfing in on the large waves. Hope you like him. Thanks for looking.

New Zealand Fur Seal (arctocephalus forsteri)

Description
A pointy nosed seal with long whiskers, visible external ears and body covered with two layers of fur. Fur seals look almost black when wet, but may look lighter when dry.

Adult females: average length 1.2m, weight 40 kg.

Adult males: average length 1.6m, weight 160 kg.

Range
The New Zealand fur seal is found throughout New Zealand, western and southern Australia.

Population
In New Zealand, minimum estimates of the population are 50 - 60,000, but this is almost certainly an underestimate. Recent work in Otago has shown there Fur seal adult and pup, South East Island. Photo by Rod Morris/DOCwas a population increase of 25% per year between 1982 and 1994 and surveys in 1995 indicated this was continuing.

A similar rate of increase has been noted in the Nelson/Marlborough region and also in the Subantarctic Bounty Islands. Since 1991, fur seals have recommenced breeding on the North Island. In Australia latest estimates are 30 - 35,000 with an annual increase of 16 to 19%.

Although there are no estimates of population growth available for Southland, a nationwide survey in the 1970's showed fur seals in Southland accounted for over 40 % of the total New Zealand population or 70% if the sub-antarctic islands are included.

Predators
Large sharks and killer whales are the main predators of seals. Hooker's sea lions may occasionally take juvenile fur seals in the sub-antarctic islands but this has not been reported on the mainland.
Diet

A survey is currently under way into the diet of south coast fur seals. Early results show that south coast seals mainly eat arrow squid, octopus, barracuda, jade mackerel and hoki mostly off the continental shelf in depths greater than 22 metres.

The above obtained from http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/001~Plants-and-Animals/003~Marine-Mammals/NZ-Fur-Seal.asp

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 1:04 p.m.
Date: 16th August 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/1500
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
halki, Comandante, hummingbird24, carper, liquidsunshine, scottevers7, Luc has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • halki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 249 W: 8 N: 105] (469)
  • [2005-08-16 4:56]

Hello Pam!
Very nice close up.Great moment and composition.
Thanks for posting...

Hello Pam!
I love looking at water! Especialy when I'm sad or unhappy.
Great image.

Hello Pam!

This is an amazing photo!

I love the water details which you have captured incredibly well.

The seal's head, bobbing in the foaming sea, is perfect and so wonderful.

This shot brings back a special memory for me, of whale watching with my son in Tofino, BC, a few years ago.

We had the opportunity to view sights like this, one with the seals frolicking in the ocean. How fantastic...

That was a very meaningful day for me, and I thank you for this beautiful image and the memory it brings to mind.

Well done!

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-08-16 12:37]

wauw Pam, what a capture,
very good photo I like the goiod composition, the pov is great and I love that details in the shot, very good job,
gr. jaap

Nicely captured Pam,
Good detail and great POV. Very nicely exposed. Well composed. good notes, good sharpness & Well captured, thanks for posting. Hope your having a great time.

Another very nice picture from you, Pam. The focus and sharpness are spot-on. You really got a nice action shot. TFS.

Jan-Hendrik

Hi Pam,
I like this shot! It sounds like it would have been a blast to sit and watch. I am soooooo envious.
Scott

Hello Pam!
Great capture.Expression on seals face,clear details,POV and composition are amazing.Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Jayp Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 22] (106)
  • [2005-08-17 8:11]

Pam, you have the patience to create great pictures. I love the composition and the way you have focused on the subject. Enjoy the trip and keep posting.

  • Great 
  • Gudule Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 248 W: 11 N: 288] (1204)
  • [2005-08-17 19:24]

I can hear de water running. A very nice shot at a good moment. It's like a watercolor.
Congratulations.

JN.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-08-17 19:52]

Hi Pam, I have no time to write a decent comment. I give to you the well deserved smiley.

Day thought:
"If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words." -- Chinese Proverb --

Thank you for sharing pictures and notes and for the enjoyment which they give to me.

Nice image of a seal in its enviroment. I like it, have you found Neat Image yet? (www.neatimage.com) It would smooth this shot out really well I think.

Hi Pam.. this is a very well done. The dark seal against the foam of the waves is very striking. Fanatastic exposure to get some much detail in both the darks and the lights. Very well done :-)

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