Cape Palliser Seal Colony

Around the Cape Palliser is the North Islands largest breeding colony of NZ fur seals. They are literally dotted around the landscape. You have to be very careful walking around as you will make them nervous if you get too close and also if you are inbetween the sea and them. The picture on the left is of a group - when I got a little close, all their heads lifted up to check me out. The next time I ventured out I had the car engine running and the door open. A couple of them moved around a bit but nothing untoward happened. Most of them were having a snooze after being fishing. Not too many pups were there (or at least they have grown up). But still cool to be able to get up close to the animals on your own - but still showing them some respect.