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Young NZ Fur Seal
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Kathleen Shepherd (Kathleen)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 363 W: 104 N: 911]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (2692) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2004-07-15 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Exposure: f/6.3, 1/600 seconds |
| Details: Tripod: Yes |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-06-12 5:41 |
| Viewed: 509 |
| Points: 24 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Young NZ Fur Seal Arctocephalus Forsteri
Kaikoura Coast Line, East Coast of South Island, New Zealand
This little fella was such a trick, it was like he enjoyed playing hide and peep from behind this rock for abt 30min until he got the courage to come right out and see what all the fuss was about.
Only a 3meg camera, sorry not excellent quality.
Seals
Seals belong to a group of mammals known as "pinnipeds". All pinnipeds have streamlined bodies and limbs modified into flippers. Pinnipeds are divided into three families: walruses, true seals and eared seals. True seals do not have external ears, cannot turn their hind flippers forward, and have fur on both surfaces of their flippers. New Zealand examples include the leopard seal and southern elephant seal.
Eared seals include fur seals and sea lions. They have external ears, hind flippers they can turn forward under the body and no fur on their flippers.
A large group of seals is called a herd and breeding colonies are called rookeries. Adult males are called bulls and females are called cows, while a young seal is a pup. Immature males are sometimes called bachelors or vagrants.
All seals, whales and dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978.
When observing seals, all seals should be treated with caution. They have large teeth, and can become aggressive. They also move surprisingly fast on land. Fur seals can bite with up to 2 tonnes per cm' pressure.
Fact File for New Zealand Fur Seal.
Length: Adult males measure between 1.5-2.5 metres in length; adult females measure 1-1.5 metres.
Length at birth: 55-70 cm.
Weight: Males weigh 120-200 kg; females weigh 30-50 kg.
Moulting season: February to March.
Also known as: kekeno (Maori); Nieuwzeelandse pelsrob (Dutch); Nyzeeländsk pälssäl, Nyzeeländsk sjöbjörn (Swedish); oso marino de Neuva Zelanda (Spanish).
Family: Otariidae.
Diet: Fishes, squid, and octopus. Most feeding occurs at night.
Habitat: The main colonies are found around the coast of the South Island and Stewart Island, and on many of the offshore and sub-Antarctic islands. Some colonies are also found on the North Island and in Australia.
Sexual maturity: Females reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-5 years of age. Males mature at roughly the same age but do not attain territorial status until approximately 9-10 years of age.
Gestation: One year with delayed implantation (9-mo. foetal development).
Lactation: 6-10 months.
Reproduction: Fur seals breed between November and January. Males arrive at the breeding sites first to establish territories, which they vigorously defend. The females arrive in late November to give birth to a single pup, which they stay with constantly for the first week or so. After that first week, the mother will leave her newborn pup to go to sea and forage, alternately spending an average of three days, but sometimes up to eight days, at sea and spending between 2-7 days ashore nursing her pup. While mothers are absent, the pups congregate at the breeding sites. The males usually mate with the females as they leave the pups to head to sea.
Longevity: New Zealand fur seals have a lifespan of 12-15 years, possibly up to 20 years. |
deblink, LordPotty, angybone, Argus, eqshannon, haraprasan, uleko, gracious, Proframe has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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Good looking seal, I like the textures in the rock against the smooth shiny seal coat, good pose from him too.
Hi Kathleen,
Great image of this seal. The detail in the image is superb. Nice lighting too.
Cheers,
Debbie
Hi Kathleen,
Nicely composed shot of this cute pup.
Its amazing how much light their coats reflect. You've managed it ok with that camera though.
Good work.
Steve
ps ... whats wrong with our West Coast seals?
We all have a special place in our hearts for baby seals...at least those of us who remember the controversy of the 80's.
Excellent details and nice gentle lighting. What a sweet little face!
- Argus
(21879)
- [2007-06-12 7:32]
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Hello Kathleen,
Great shot of a NZ Fur Seal pup with fine sharpness and lighting set in an excellent composition. Though the cute factor is somewhat reduced by the not too content expression on his face, you were lucky to be able to take such a fine shot so close to in the wild.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan
No apologies needed for 3mp. It worked as well...seems nice and sharp and without "grainy" appearance my scans give. Yet even they do me a favor by elucidating in their own way of doing so, a feeling of a dream.
You seem to have caught a pout pose. This seal knew you were playing and gave it a best shot....Very nice K!
Bob Northwestern US
Hi Kathleen,
Great capture. Nice pose. Very well framed. POV is good. The seal looks cute. Thanks a lot for sharing.
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- pirate
(2879)
- [2007-06-12 13:48]
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Hi Kathleen
Great capture with beautifull eyecatch. Great sharpness and perfect compo
Tfs
Tom
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- uleko
(22222)
- [2007-06-12 14:37]
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Hello Kathleen,
Lovely capture of this cute little seal in a lovely pose. Sharp details and very nice colours. I like the composition a lot.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla
Hello Kathleen,
Good composition of clarity, colour and details also the wonderful note that comes with it
very well done
cheers
Tony
Gorgeous image Kathleen.
What a lovely pose of this cute animal.
As if it's posing just for you :)
Sharpness, exposure and clarity are superb.
A great joy to look at.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend.
Kind regards, Harry
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- Sayre
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 40 W: 2 N: 29]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(156) - [2007-09-30 21:13]
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This is a very cute picture and expression that you've captured. I do wish the shadow on the side weren't quite so dark. But, this is a great capture!
TFS Steph
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 338 W: 8 N: 383]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1256)![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1167 W: 11 N: 2265]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(7198)