This wee seal pup was found 1/2way along the Kaikoura coast at Oahu Stream. There were about 7 frolicking about in the clear stream pools and were constantly twisting and turning and coming up to tourists as here. This lady with the red hair was talking to the wee pup.
Three good things:
1. Found a beautiful wildlife lake off the side of the main road called St Annes Lagoon. The only wild life we saw was a dog doing its morning jobs! Some huge trees with new spring growth, catkins and kowhai yellow flowers.
2. A lovely restaurant on a plateau overlooking the Ocean called Cellar View where we sat in the sun and drank in the view as well as the wine. The Ploughmans Platter that we ordered was waited for for over 45 minutes until John got up and called the Manager! We were offered free drinks for their mistake and eventually enjoyed some wonderful cheeses and pickles.
3. North Canterbury valleys looked green and beautiful with new willow growth and other trees like wattles in flower.
Wow you have got good light coming through there Maggie, it was so dark when we went .. this is such a great spot to see the little seals having fun in the fresh water pool.. Put this on the 'todo' list @happypat it is one of Kaikoura's little secrets.. 45 mins does seem excessive for no cooking required.. Ploughmans would be my choice as well..
@julzmaioro There was a bit of sun filtering through the trees, Julia! Really delightful and not a lot of people there. It takes 5 minutes to assemble a cold platter!
@grammyn Some things like penguins and seals are so 'ho hum' here, Katy! Now if we could see a fox..... or a coyote... or a squirrel! Maybe just as well!
It's nice to see a connection between us humans and wild nature, though this pup is far from wild. I almost stood on a grown seal while at Kaur and he let me know he didn't like it!
What a fun picture and I especially enjoyed the story of the red haired lady talking to it. It sounds like you're living an idyllic life right now and boy would I like to be some of those places.
A wonderful capture. I saw something about this stream on telly recently. It is a seal nursery where all the pups climb up this creek to a safe fresh water pool to spend their days learning to swim while Mum & Dad are out at sea catching their dinner. So lovely to see your shot of such a magic place.
Super capture, he looks almost as if he's taking a bow. Wow, 45 minutes is a lengthy wait for a platter. At least they did give you a freebie drink for your troubles.
Oh, he is so cute!!! We have a place here that used to be the Children's Cove in one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods by the sea, and the seals have taken over! It has become really controversial as they are protected, but some of the residents would like to reclaim the cove!
All the Spring greens are just lovely at the moment.