Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Thursday 16 February 2012

Looking for seal pups

There is a hidden treasure down the road on SH1 on the way to Kairoura.  The weather was damp and blustery so out came the rain jackets as we crossed the busy road.  Luckily the car park was roomy enough for all of us to park our caravans and motor-home safely.

DSCF8902 Kaikoura coastline

The Ohau Stream Walk is a short walk took us up the hill in Half Moon Bay Scenic Reserve.  During the winter months hundreds of New Zealand fur seal pups travel up the stream to the waterfall.  Here they can play in safety while their mothers are feeding at sea.  Sadly, we were several months too early for the seal pups, but we could just imagine a large group of them playing happily in the water, in the beautiful native bush surroundings.  We really will have to return later to see them.

DSCF8896  Seal pups this way (in winter)

DSCF8899 The waterfall and stream where the pups play

DSCF8901Sign on the track – watch out for trains!

There were plenty of adult seals hauled out on the rocks, we noticed, as we continued our journey to Kaikoura.  The action of the never ending waves made the bull kelp seem appear to writhe with life as it surged backwards and forwards. 

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