Seal pups playing in pool of water on Wharariki Beach.

As mentioned in my last post on Black & White landscapes that included Wharariki Beach, we encountered some entertaining playful seal pups. It could be said that they provided some distraction while waiting for the conditions to improve for landscape photography but in reality I had to drag myself away from them as they were just so cute and captivating. They are really just like aquatic puppies with all the allure and playfulness of dog pups. The difference is that little dogs are often clumsy while seal pups are just so lithe and capable in the water. 

Seal pups resting between games.

There were 3 or 4 pups playing together at any one time. A couple of mothers were resting nearby and others hidden away amongst the rocks. The pups would play together for a while and then rest up on the edge before another session of play.

Fortunately the best light direction was when viewing from low on the beach below the pool. This gave an unobtrusive place to kneel and watch the seals and a few of us got perfect views of them playing. Unfortunately a group of tourists decided that, despite the information signs advising keeping a safe distance, clambering up onto the rocks and looming over the seals was the best option for selfies. It took a bit of verbal instruction to warn them off walking right over the rocks and stepping on a resting mother who was forced into moving away from this invasion of bipeds. It is at times embarrassing to be a part of such an insensitive,  selfish species.

Troop of bipedal apes disturbing seal habitat. Resting female seal was forced into moving away by this behaviour.

Returning later the seal pups had diminished in number until finally only one was left to provide some nice opportunities resting on the edge of the pool.

Pale brown dry fur visible in the gaps of the wet fur over the back.

Front view showing the ears from which Otariidae receive their name.

This final pup eventually headed off to find it’s mother for a feed, dropping in on a friend on the way.

Seal pup visiting one of his playmates who had reunited with it’s mother for a feed.

Running off to find mum for a feed after a hectic spell of play.

New Zealand Fur Seals/kekeno are a member of the eared seals (family Otariidae) and are more closely related to Sea Lions than to the earless or “true” seals (family Phocidae). Fur seals rely on their dense fur for insulation as opposed to the blubber layer that true seals use. As can be seen in some of the photos, the seals come out of the water sleek and wet but with movement the surface fur parts revealing completely dry (paler brown) beneath the top layer. This layer of trapped air functions essentially as a dry suit.

This dense fur was the reason for their hunting and this left them close to extinction but they are slowly regaining ground. The other obvious difference is in their locomotion on land. Eared seals can rotate their limbs forward to walk or run as shown in the last image. The true seals are unable to do this and move inefficiently on land by undulating.

For more information on NZ Fur Seals see this Department of Conservation page.

Piniped photos with Nikon D500 and Nikon 500mm f5.6PF lens. Biped photo with Nikon D810 and Nikon 24-120mm f4VR lens.