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Seal Colony - Kaikoura Coast


Seal Colony - Kaikoura Coast
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 503 N: 8087] (27684)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-17
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: South Island Winter Holiday 2005
Date Submitted: 2005-10-24 5:17
Viewed: 2774
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL ( Arctocephalus forsteri )

MAORI NAME: Kekeno

Fur Seal. 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 traveling 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.

During the breeding season, November to December, they are territorial and become very aggressive if approached to closely. Extreme care should be exercised if there are pups about or when you are between the sea and the seals. If a seal decides to make a run for the water it is not about to stop for you and a 100+kg of seal on top of you is no joke! They also have very large and dirty teeth. which can and do inflict serious injuries which WILL infect.

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

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 12:57 p.m.
Date: 17th 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
ddg, ellis49, sAner, Signal-Womb, dew77, marhowie, scottevers7, liquidsunshine, wallhalla15, livios, Luc, hummingbird24 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-10-24 5:24]

Pan bonjour, superbe cette famille sur le rocher!! Belle composition et magnifique detail de structure en premier plan. Congratulations Didier.

Hi Pam!
What a "singing" photo ;-)
Nice situation and very pretty blue water.

Hi Pam,
It's good to see seal in their right elements.
Well composed, good details and nice colours.
I like the rocks to wiht the nice pattern.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-10-24 7:02]

Lovely shot Pam! My gf and I loved Kaikoura ... We went there on our VERY last day in NZ and we saw so many marine mammals (200 dolphins, 2 Sperm Whales, Seals, etc.) ... it was great. You r shot brings back fond memories. Well taken and well exposed. Good note too. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

The capture of the seals is brilliant Pam, the stones on which they lay is amazing. The choppy sea makes a great background for all of this. I like it. Very nice work.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-10-24 8:55]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful capture.Details are crisp clear and razorsharp.I liked pose of seals and composition a lot.TFS...:-)

Great shot Pam. The sea behind and the interesting rock formation adds greatly. Excellent notes & Well done. Thank You.

Hi Pam,
Great shot of these fur seals in their natural environment. I think the composition, colors, and detail look great. Excellent notes as always from you. Great job!
Scott

Beautiful shot Pam! The texture in the rocks and the ocean make this picture even better. Paul :)

Nice capture Pam,
Well composed, good exposure and detail.
A very nice image to view, thanks for posting.
Have a great week Pam.

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175] (6494)
  • [2005-10-24 16:07]

Hi Pam,
Brilliant capture!
The stone looks amazing and very detailed,
excellent composition.
TFS!

Hello Pam. Great natural shot - very clear and nice colours. Excellent composition and great details. Well done & TFS!

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1576 W: 5 N: 2180] (12248)
  • [2005-10-24 20:57]

Belle prise nature, l'exposition et l'action sont excellents.

Félicitations et merci pour l,envoie

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-10-24 21:23]

Pam, another very nice image taken by you.

Besides, it's a very nice moment. Dealing with exposure must not have been an easy task, but you did great on that too.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-10-24 22:06]

Personal assessment of the photo: very good.
Capacity of evocation in me: good.
Good visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you Pam.

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 755 W: 31 N: 20] (5032)
  • [2005-10-25 2:49]

Hi Pam,
good capture and composition. I like the colours and sharpness, too. Interesting note. Well done.
Rgs, Aleksander

A wonderful shot Pam!

Once again you have given us a fantastic view of these seals, and interesting rock formations.

Your notes are always filled with so much information.


Great job, I thank you for sharing with us.

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