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Monday, 8 April 2013

Our World Tuesday - Australasian Fur Seals

I was out and about on Port Phillip Bay this week - if I lived much nearer to the sea a boat of some kind would be on my wish list.  Although I recall boats be called "A hole surrounded by water, into which one pours money!" - so maybe not.

I went out on an organised tour to visit one of the old sea forts that were build and later abandoned by the military - but more about that on another day.

On the way to the fort we stopped by the  Australasian Fur Seal colony that hauls out on a structure called Chinaman's Hat.  I've posted about this place before.

What was unusual about today was some of the seal behaviour we saw.  Many of the seals were floating on the surface of the water with there front flippers held up in the air.

Apparently, the dark colour of the flippers and the closeness of the blood flow to the surface of skin allows the seals to use their flippers as solar panels and get some free warmth.  It seems like a good adaptation.




For once the place was not stomach churningly smelly!

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

Enjoy the pictures.

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31 comments:

  1. Carole M.8 April 2013 at 22:31

    how beautiful to observe and your finale photograph is grandious Stewart

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  2. Andrea @ From The Sol8 April 2013 at 23:03

    Well, I guess the seals are smarter than some people. Warm is always a good thing and I don't blame them for seeking heat in such a clever way. Good shots ... and I am curious, no smell? Do you know why it was different on this day than other days?

    Andrea @ From THe Soul

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  3. thewovenspoke8 April 2013 at 23:20

    Some very neat shots Stewart, I find them so graceful to look at. I learned something new about them, thanks. I agree with the hole surrounded by water :) Have a great week.

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  4. Unknown8 April 2013 at 23:33

    Like the boat definition - I must forward it to my brother!

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  5. Arija9 April 2013 at 00:09

    Seals look so smug.
    Are you sure they were not holding their hands up to be rescued?

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  6. Sylvia K9 April 2013 at 00:44

    I do love the seals!! Great shots and particularly the last one! Hope you have a good week, Stewart!

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  7. TexWisGirl9 April 2013 at 00:56

    so VERY cool!

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  8. grammie g9 April 2013 at 02:01

    Hi Stewart ...That is so interesting to see and read about!!
    I love the "pig-pile" of them on the rocks : )))
    Nice shots!!
    Grace

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  9. Diane9 April 2013 at 02:11

    Beautiful photos. They re such fun creatures. Have a good week Diane

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  10. Anonymous9 April 2013 at 02:18

    What a gorgeous sight -if slightly smelly. Lovely shots.

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  11. Linda9 April 2013 at 04:54

    How wonderful! Great photos, Stewart!

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  12. DIMI9 April 2013 at 06:11

    Hallo Stewart!Great shots!!Lucky you!!Seals are very beautiful creatures!Hope you have a lovely day!
    Dimi..

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  13. Anonymous9 April 2013 at 06:24

    Some of those places around the water have their own special "aroma." Fun to see the fur seals. I've heard similar tales about boats, but yours is the most creative.

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  14. Jim9 April 2013 at 08:33

    Excellent captures.

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  15. mick9 April 2013 at 09:07

    Interesting seal behavior. Those ones in the last photo certainly look to be in good condition.

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  16. Gemma Wiseman9 April 2013 at 09:47

    Wonderful photos of the seals doing their "thing"! And yes! They do have a special aroma and I'm not sure why!

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  17. Gail Dixon9 April 2013 at 10:46

    How wonderful to be able to photograph and observe these sweet ones. So glad it wasn't smelly. I need to send that boat quote to my uncle. He has a houseboat and just bought a camp that came with two small boats. Ha!

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  18. Lea9 April 2013 at 12:09

    How wonderful! Beautiful seals!
    Have a great day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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  19. Karen9 April 2013 at 12:29

    Sea wings, the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the top two photos!

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  20. Brian King9 April 2013 at 13:45

    Very cool shots! This would be awesome to see!

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  21. Dan9 April 2013 at 13:47

    Brilliant creatures and photos too!

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  22. Kusum9 April 2013 at 15:13

    Oh! Love that last picture where seals are looking at heaven!

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  23. Unknown9 April 2013 at 16:34

    flippers as solar panels--that is amazing.:p they're beautiful creatures.

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  24. Randi9 April 2013 at 17:29

    These images are enchanted! I love seals...we don´t have many now...

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  25. Fun609 April 2013 at 18:00

    What great photos of the seals. I have seen pictures of them before with their flippers in the air but I didn't know why they did that so thanks for the info.

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  26. Vineeta Yashsavi9 April 2013 at 19:04

    Beautiful pics but third pic is awesome...

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  27. Marja9 April 2013 at 19:54

    Fantastic pictures and I didn't know that about the seals. very clever. I love these animals.

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  28. chai-and-chardonnay.blogspot.com9 April 2013 at 21:09

    Love your boat story - but the pictures of the seals are great...I saw the little seals in the North Sea doing it, but had no idea why! Thanks.

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  29. Anonymous9 April 2013 at 22:10

    lovely creatures

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  30. Sallie (FullTime-Life)10 April 2013 at 01:04

    I love seals and the pictures are great...the first time I ever saw (at a distance) Oregon seals with their flippers up in that position I thought for a minute that I'd discovered a new species of bird!

    The saying about a boat is sadly true. But often worth it.



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  31. Icy BC11 April 2013 at 03:16

    They are so cool to see, and their skin is so silky looking!

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