We continue to have about 12-15 elephant seals on Great Race Island. Most are nearing the end of their moult and are waiting until hunger drives them back to the open ocean. The big male (who is not fully grown) is just beginning to shed around his nose and mouth. Young e-seals and females moult earlier than the adult males, probably to avoid the threat of overly agressive or amorous advances by the big guys. Whenever Chunk moves a ripple of concern moves through the colony (literally). He often catches a small one and half-heartedly pushes it around, but he is fairly gentle all things considered.

Keeping an eye open…

Here comes trouble…

Cornered…

Time to Smell the Flowers…

Whimbrel in Flight