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New Zealand Fur Seal - Kaikoura


New Zealand Fur Seal - Kaikoura
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 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: 2005-09-27 4:45
Viewed: 1750
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I like the big black eyes and the crossed over flippers!

New Zealand Fur Seal ( Arctocephalus forsteri Maori Name: Kekeno

The New Zealand Fur Seal is only found on the coasts of New Zealand and it’s sub-Antarctic islands with a few colonies on the south coast of Australia. Unlike true seals they have visible ears and do not have a blubber layer so they have fur for warmth. The fur is in two layers. The outer layer of stiffer hairs is silvery brown when dry with the inner layer of soft water proof fur being reddish brown.

Male Fur Seals grow up to about 2 metres in length and weigh up to about 200kg. They have very thick necks and appear to have a mane. Because of this they are sometimes mistakenly called "sealions". Females are of slimmer build and only weigh up to about 100kg.

When they move on land the flippers are swung outwards and used in pairs or alternately. In fast land movement the hind flippers are always used in unison, as they are less mobile than the forelimbs, while the head is swung back and forth to give added impetus. Although they look ungainly on land it is surprising how steep a
rock face they can climb and the speed that they can cross rough terrain is quite remarkable, especially if they are startled or feel threatened. Seals usually feed at night travelling out to sea, sometimes for days at a time, to feed on octopus, squid, lantern fish and barracouta. Once in the water seals are truly graceful and inquisitive creatures. They can reach speeds of up to 50km/hr and have been recorded as deep as 274metres.
Their dives average 3 - 5 minutes but can be as long as 11 minutes. They have been seen as far as 1000km off shore and one seal tagged in New Zealand was seen in Australia.

The above obtained from http://www.virtual-kaikoura.com/wildlife/seals/seals.htm

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 12:56 p.m.
Date: 16th August 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/350
F-Stop: F/6.7
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
LordPotty, dew77, red45, Runnerduck, Signal-Womb, Marche, sway has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To LordPotty: Little Blue Penguinscoasties 1 09-27 05:49
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Critiques [Translate]

Lovely shot Pam.Very clear and good tone.
There's a little island near my house called Seal Island,covered in seals.I kayaked out to it the other day,but didn't have my camera.(That's where that blowhole is too)
Guess what? I've got Little Blue Penguins nesting in my garden! Came home the other night and there were threee right next to my car in the driveway.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-09-27 6:03]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful capture.Lighting,crisp clear details,POV,eye contact,framing and composition are excellent.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-09-27 7:45]

Pam, you are expert in field of cute animals shots :-) Lovely picture! Big eyes and crossed flippers look amazing. I like BG with underwater stones also. Very nice work!

Just too cute, those eyes are captivating.
A lovely shot, excellent detail and sharpness and good use of light.
Well done and thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-09-27 11:48]

Pam, although I've already mentioned, I'll mention once more: sharpness in your shots is always something great. This is not an exception.

Besides, great pov, lovely lighting, very nice pose.

Once more, congratulations.

Good light and detail Pam , lovely shot with accurate DOF. 7/10 Excellent work.

Bonsoir Pam,
Quel est cet animal qui me photographie?
Superbe capture, bien nette et excellente lumière.
Amitiés
Martine

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-09-27 16:05]

Hi Pam
Very cute seal. Very sharp fur which contrasts well against the rocks. I like how his flippers are folded as those really posing.
Regards Toni

  • Great 
  • zakiwi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 154 W: 20 N: 274] (1309)
  • [2005-09-27 17:20]

Hey Pam,

This is such a stunningly crisp and clear shot. You really got this old boy at the perfect moment.

I must say Pam that the more I look at your photo's with the 100-400IS the more I'm thinking about going that route. I was thinking of the 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200IS f2.8 as a combination, but after a huge amount of research and debating in my mind I think that the new 24-105IS f4 and the 100-400IS is a better combination for someone passionate about wildlife photography.

Anyway --- well done

Cheers

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308] (1224)
  • [2005-09-27 20:39]

HI Pam,
Oh soooo cute!
I love the textures in the shot, from the round rocks to the fur on the seal.
Great pose. Nice composition.
:)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6160] (21052)
  • [2005-09-28 3:12]

What a cutie, Pam. Those big eyes, and the crossed flippers, give him an adorable look. Sharp details and good light in a great composition amid the rocks. Well done and TFS. : )

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