This is part 3 of our road trip along ”The Catlins” in the southeast. You can find part 1 about Bluff and Slope point here. You can read the other part about a mirror blank lake and beautiful waterfalls here.
This is a female sea lion. This photo is taken with a zoom lens from the distance. It’s important to respect and stay away from wild life. Photo: Patrik Enlund
Surat Bay – a beach with cool sea lions
In Surat Bay, in the inlet to the small community of Owaka, is a beach that is popular among sea lions. The beach is really, really long and we go for a stroll on a bit of it to look out for sea lions. A huge fat male and two smaller females is sunbathing in the sand.
It’s important to keep away from wildlife and show them respect. At least 10 meters but preferably even more is recommended for sea lions. This is for their safety as well as your own as a sea lion who gets scared and runs at full speed towards the sea does not stop for anything.
We sit down in the sand and watch these magnificent animals in silence. The cute white-gray female throws sand up her back using her fins. The sand protects her from the strong sun, and also from irritating insects.
When I take my photos, it almost looks like she’s smiling at the camera and looking straight into the lens. Wondering what she thinks? To spend time with animals are always special.
ALSO READ: White water rafting on Buller River – loads of laughter >>
Isn’t she cute? Photo: Patrik Enlund
A sea lion has sharp teeth. The female is disturbed by flies and trying to get them away from her face. Photo: Patrik Enlund
Here she throws up sand on her back to protect herself from the sun. Photo: Patrik Enlund
Leanne is looking out for more sea lions. Photo: Patrik Enlund
A male has darker fur then a female. To the very right in this photo Leanne is seen sitting on a log. Photo: Patrik Enlund
