skyring: (Default)
Skyring ([personal profile] skyring) wrote2006-02-25 04:08 pm

(no subject)

From release notes for this book, by FutureCat.

On a fence at the beach below the heads, where we stopped for the Australians to get a closer look at some fur seals (Skyring nearly stood on one!).

I did, too! We have seals in Australia, but they generally don't haul themselves out in convenient locations, and the beach at the bottom of the headland near the albatross reserve was very convenient.

As we drove down, rabbits skipped into the bushes, and Wombles was excited about seeing their cute little bunny tails disappearing. Impossible to see unless they move, of course, and then they are running away as fast as they can go.

Seals were visible, about three or four at first glance, and we got out of the car and headed towards them, cameras at the ready. FutureCat, who was born nearby and frolicked amongst the seals as a kitten, was blase and dedicated herself to decorating the landscape with books, as she does so very well. Me, I looked for a good angle on a likely looking seal, and got down on the shingle, looking for a good shot with the blue water and green hills in the background.

Seal at Pilot Beach

I snapped a couple of photographs, and then realised that I was almost on top of another seal, down on the rocks with me. If I'd taken another pace or two I would have stepped on it!

Seal on Rocks

[identity profile] eireannaigh.livejournal.com 2006-02-25 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
That is great!

[identity profile] drutt.livejournal.com 2006-02-25 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
Wow... I'm amazed they didn't scarper when you got so close.

[identity profile] angelchild.livejournal.com 2006-02-25 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
Wow! Were they ok?

[identity profile] skyring.livejournal.com 2006-02-25 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, they were cool!

Seals routinely haul themselves out of the water on the beaches around the South Island. I've seen them on all of my trips, though I must admit that Dunedin's are by far the most accessible.

They lie around in groups of half a dozen or so, lazing in the sun, smelling up the place and getting grumpy if anybody gets too close.

[identity profile] angelchild.livejournal.com 2006-02-25 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry, i cant help being a British Southerner... If you saw a seal on the beach here it would either be wounded or dead!

[identity profile] silvanime.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like it was a lot of fun. *envies* One year I'll make a NZ convention!

[identity profile] skyring.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
You'd love it! New Zealand is a wonderful place, Dunedin is a city that sings to me, and New Zealand's BookCrossers (despite being the greatest in the world) are like all the others I've ever been with - lovely, generous, witty and friendly folk.

Perhaps we can get them to come over here one day? They retain their charm outside their natural habitat!

[identity profile] silvanime.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
They retain their charm outside their natural habitat! Sounds like someone else I know!

Surely there are some NZers coming to the Adelaide con?

At any rate, one day I'll get a job so I can afford to go to a con and also not worry about exams at the same time!
resqgeek: (Default)

[personal profile] resqgeek 2006-02-26 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
Cool! We saw seals in Milford Sound (along with dolphins and penguins), but were obviously unable to get close. The closest I've been to seals was as Sea World!