about an hour south of our house in blenheim, on the south pacific coast of the south island, there is a well known seal colony at ohau point. new zealand fur seal (kekeno) pups are born into the colony every year in november and december on the craggy rocks of the coast. beginning in april each year, the pups swim from the ocean up into a stream, waddling over rock outcroppings and across trails, traveling about 1/2 a mile to reach a series of natural rock pools at the base of a waterfall. apparently they stay here to play, swim, develop social skills, etc for days at a time during the winter months, returning back to the coast to feed from their mother's milk every several days.
standing among them, watching them swim, play, wrestle, dive in and out of the waterfall, and flip in and out of the water was a rare stolen peek into the untouched, awe inspiring natural simplicity of this world.
Great to hear the seals are still having fun in the rock pools. And what a lovely photo of the girls. You have a good holiday all and I hope memories like this will bring you back to NZ one day.
ReplyDeleteXx Sue H