A different seal...

[khiemtran]

After driving over two thousand kilometres to see Australian fur seals in Port Phillip Bay, we got to one of the local fur seals here yesterday. The Opera House Seal is quite well known in Sydney, but yesterday there seemed to be a different, smaller seal in its usual spot.



As you can see, the fur seal had the best view in town. Although it might have been a bit noisy for it today, when all the Australia Day festivities were under way. At the top left, you can see part of the fence which surrounds the steps to keep people away from the seals.



From this angle, you can see what look like scars on its back, near its tail. I wonder if it's recovering after being hit by a propeller.



Trying hard to get some sleep...

Comments

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

Was it warm, where the seal was? (I'm hoping that basking was what was going on, not grim post-propellor recuperation.) Is the larger seal usually on that same step?

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

It was the same set of steps. Here's an older picture I took from the ferry as I was going past the opera house. Yes, it was nice and warm. The smaller seal looked pretty relaxed. It was just shuffling its weight around as though it was trying to find a comfy position.

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/28298008@N07/21632021228/in/dateposted-public/)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I like that he's picked a spot to doze in that matches his fur, more or less.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that they look brown with dry fur (i.e. on land), but black when they're in the later. Considering much of the coastline is a similar coloured sandstone, that must be excellent camouflage...