We started off with a drive out to the Otago Peninsula and a visit to the Albatross colony and exhibition. They wanted $65 per each to trek over the hill like ants to see nesting birds. Maybe next trip. We got to look at ugly birds for free.
Shags
After having to look at this crap scenery, we headed over to Allen's Beach for some more drab views.
The New Zealand Sea Lion (Hooker's sea lion) is an endangered marine mammal that likes to lay around on sandy beaches on the Otago Peninsula. When we were walking on the access trail to the beach we could look through the cut and see a sea lion scrambling along at a pretty good pace.
(telephoto lens)
The New Zealand Sea Lion (Hooker's sea lion) is an endangered marine mammal that likes to lay around on sandy beaches on the Otago Peninsula. When we were walking on the access trail to the beach we could look through the cut and see a sea lion scrambling along at a pretty good pace.
Taking a closer look, there was a swarm of tourist "sandflies" chasing after him. There must have been about 20 people doggin' his track. The poor guy would huff and puff along until he just collapsed from exhaustion. When the swarm closed in he would get up and make another run for it. Finally, he just had to make a dash for the water.
Since he weighs in at about 900 pounds I was hoping he would crush a few on his way.
Since he weighs in at about 900 pounds I was hoping he would crush a few on his way.We decided to walk the length of the beach which was probably a mile. Along the way I noticed a hulk half buried in the sand, about 100 feet or more from the water. You know how when you stand in the water at the beach and every time the water goes in and out you sink a little? This carcass was laying in a depression just like that. It was a dead female sea lion. Wait a minute...did she just move? Picture this: a sea lion laying on its side, head lolled over, mouth open (full of flies), and flies swarming over her eyes. Then a twitch, and a shuddering breath. Boy this pup is on short final for sure. Maybe two hours until seal heaven.
A little further down the beach is another one. I'm starting to think maybe some seal disease or some kind of marine mammal domestic dispute gone horribly wrong. I walk over and bend down to take a closer look when...the eyes pop open.
"What? You never seen a dead seal before"
A little further down the beach is another one. I'm starting to think maybe some seal disease or some kind of marine mammal domestic dispute gone horribly wrong. I walk over and bend down to take a closer look when...the eyes pop open.
"What? You never seen a dead seal before"On the way back I noticed that the "dead" sea lion had been resurrected, hobbled a hundred feet further up the beach and "died" again.
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