Seal on a rock

Back blipped on 15th. 

We had a great day out with Abel Tasman Ecotours.  I can thoroughly recommend this day trip. 
 
We got up with the sun, and were treated to a colourful sunrise, as we drove down from our yurt to Motueka.  I was worried about red morning skies, but actually we had a great day, with a good deal of sun. We were picked up in Motueka by Stew, the owner and main guide.  He took us and 2 other couples to Marahau, where we boarded the boat on dry land, before he launched it into the sea.  We then spent the day visiting various sites of interest up the Abel Tasman coast. 

We saw many different sea birds.  Stew was really knowledgeable, and knew where to go to see different birds; on the shore we identified pied and variable oystercatchers, and at the end, a pied stilt.  Whilst at sea, we saw shearwaters, terns, gulls, Arctic skua, shags, and even a couple of glimpses of swimming penguin.  We also saw nesting pied shags (see 1st extra).  

Stew took us round Adele Island – we weren't able to land – which is where we saw this seal.  As Stew commented, seals are the only creatures that can make a rock look comfortable!  Later, on Tonga Island, we saw more seals, with cubs, but I couldn't get a satisfactory photo of these.

We made landfall twice, in bays.  We saw many fantails, including several of the less common black variety (see 2nd and 3rd extras).  They were feasting on the sand flies, though sadly not well enough to prevent the sand flies from feasting on us, especially W.  We also saw a Weka, and a bellbird, or korimako.  At each landfall, Stew took us for a short walk, pointing out birds, trees, and other interesting things.

We also walked from one bay to another over the headland, whilst Stew brought the boat round.  

As I said, a great day out. 

We then went down to Mapua for our dinner, before returning to the yurt for our final night.