We underestimate just how cool the wildlife is on our coastline. Sure the sea lions are pretty heavy locals at this time of the year, but they certainly add an extra element to the lineups around here.
Last Tuesday we got an extra special surprise during a dawnie surf at Aramoana. We stumbled out onto the beach in the early morning light only to stumble across a leopard seal. These seals are pretty amazing creatures that usually inhabit the waters of the sub-Antarctic, so to see one on the beach just chilling in the morning light was very cool (shot for you below).
Leopard seals have a fearsome reputation – they are the ultimate killing machine in the southern ocean and not the sort you want to argue with over whose turn it is for the next set wave. They have attacked humans a few times in Antarctica, but the only known fatality came in 2003 when Kirsty Brown, a biologist with the British Antarctic Survey, was snorkelling when she was set upon, dragged underwater and drowned.
Despite these few incidents they're captivating animals, perhaps captured best when National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen swam with a massive one during an assignment for the magazine. Here's what happened: Face-Off with a Deadly Predator.
Nice souwest swell this week with westerly winds today and tomorrow then getting a bit wild for a few days. Time the winds and you'll be in luck.
See you out there ...
Proudly supported by:
