Australian Sea Lions (Neophoca cinerea) - Kangaroo Island

I recently spent two weeks traveling in my four wheel drive vehicle to South Australia.  I spent just under a week in the northern section of the state observing Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies and a week on Kangaroo Island; Kangaroo Island is the fourth largest island in Australia located off the southern coast of South Australia.  My main interest in visiting this island was to observe the abundant wildlife  that calls the island home and to observe and photograph the Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinera) which breeds along a small section of island coastline. 

LEFT: Two Australian Sea Lions begin their walk up the beach after body surfing onto the beach.

The Australian Sea Lion is the fourth most endangered sea lion in the world; first on the list is the New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri). Before official protection the species was regularly harvested by native people (Australian aboriginals) and European sealers.  The sealers devastated many of the breeding populations and today only a few breeding sites remain in South Australia and in Western Australia. 

BEHAVIOUR, DIET AND THERMODYNAMICS 

Australian Sea Lions are asocial and only come together for mating and when the mother seal tends to her pup. 

LEFT: Two Female Australian Sea Lions bask in the sun.  This behaviour may asi in deigestion and/or mucous drain.

Congregations of seals that appear to be lolloping together flipper over flipper are not communing with each other and are not family groups.  The reason for the aggregations and apparent friendliness is basic thermodynamics – to maintain body warmth on a cold day seals lie together and appear (to us) as family groups.  

Australian Sea Lions, like their close relatives the New Zealand Sea Lion are sexually dimorphic with males portraying a vastly different appearance to females.  Males can reach a length of 2.5 m (8.3 ft) and weigh in at 300 plus kg (600+ lbs) whilst the smaller females only reach a length of 1.8 m (5.2 ft) and 100 kg (220 lb) respectively.  Three distinct morphs are apparent with breeding males being a darkish chocolate in colour with a very bulldog-looking head.  Male adolescents are similar in colour, however, have a distinctive white mane.  Females are the pretty ones with fawn and silvery coloured fur, lovely faces and very streamlined bodies.  Actually, the name for the species (Sea Lion) was coined as the male’s mane reminded the biologists of the mane of a male African Lion.  

LEFT: A Male adolescent Australian Sea Lion poses for the camera.  The white lion-like mane is very distinctive.

Like many seals the diet of the Australian Sea Lion consists of a variety of fish, shark, octopus, squid and occasionally penguins.  Feeding usually occurs off the continental shelf in waters as deep as 200 m.  Unlike the New Zealand Fur Seal which hauls out on rocky outcrops, Australian Sea Lions prefer sandy beaches with adjacent dune systems.  The animals use the dunes as a type of incubator; when ambient temperatures are cool and the wind is blowing the animals make their way into the dunes to conserve body warmth.  Conversely, when temperatures are warm, the animals migrate to the beach and water to cool off. 

UNUSUAL AND UNKNOWN BEHAVIOUR 

During the day the sea lion’s bask in the sun with head and necks erect maintaining an almost 90 degree angle to the sand.  At first I thought this was to catch the sun, however, individuals did this even on overcast and rainy days.  Speaking to a wildlife biologist it became apparent that the reason for this behaviour is unknown.  Two possible reasons could be either; the positioning aids in mucous drainage to the stomach (sea lions have a lot of mucous excrement) and/or the position aids in the digestion of any meal allowing the active passage of consumed bones and detritus along the alimentary canal toward the anus. 

BREEDING AND PUP MORTALITY 

The breeding cycle of the Australian sea lion, which is an 18 month cycle and is not synchronized between colonies is unusual within the Pinniped family. The Sea Lion engages in serial monogamy rather than polygynous breeding; each male will attempt to maintain a small territory on the beach for a period of two to four weeks adjacent to a receptive female sea lion.  During this time the male is vigilant and wards off any intruding male. 

LEFT: Two Female Australian Sea Lions settle a debate over accommodation rights on the sand.  Although "cute" looking, all sea lions sport large dog-like teeth that are more than capable of causing a substantial injury to anyone foolish enough to venture too close to the animal.  As with all wildlife, sea lions need to be treated with the utmost respect.

After mating with the female, he will then return to the sea, feed and relax, before returning to the beach to once again identify a receptive female, stake out his territory and wait until the female comes into estrus.  

LEFT: A pregnant Australian Sea Lion pauses in her arguments with amorous males to have a closer look at the photographer.

At some breeding sites during the peak breeding times, adult males may heard receptive females in the hope of mating. 

Sea Lion births occur between January and October with the  female gestation period being around 12 months with the girl sea lion receptive to mating 10 days after giving birth.  Unless mated after birth, a mother may nurses her pups(s) for up to 3 years.  

Pup mortality is quite high depending on environmental conditions; summer births have a mortality rate of about 7% while winter births have a mortality rate of up to 23%.  At some sites sub-adult and adult male aggression towards each other can cause a mortality rate up to around 56% 

LEFT: A very small Australian Sea Lion calls for mother.  The pups are especially curious of anything!

PHOTOGRAPHING THE SEA LIONS

Photographing the sea lions was very enjoyable and watching the antics of the youngsters even more so.  At one stage I was framing a portrait of a female that was sunning herself when I heard a short sharp bark of a youngster which was emerging from the sand dunes.  The pup half rolled and slid down the steep incline of the dune where gravity unceremoniously dumped him at my feet, his cute adoring face looking up at mine inquisitively.  After gaining some control and dignity, he made off toward his mother who has just appeared from the ocean – no doubt the only thought on this pups mind was food! 

LEFT: An adolescent female basking in the dune systems adjacent to the beach.  During inclement conditions the sea lions migrate to the dunes for protection.

On another occasion I had male pups approach me wanting to play.  Well, this is all I could think of as the young seal would bound right up to me, lay down on his stomach and flap his flippers about.  He would then sit up and repeat the procedure seeking attention.  The activity reminded me of a dog wanting to play tag or throw the bone.  Although there is a temptation to actually play with the fellow, this is far from what you should do.  Seal protocol is pretty straightforward in this type of situation and is always  “non engagement”.  It actually is better to stand up (assuming you were kneeing) which intimidates the youngster.  Although appearing wrong and cruel at the time, if you do play with the baby, it is only teaching the animal that humans are fun to play with a to be around.  This learned behaviour will not be welcome when the sea lion is fully grown.  Imagine a 300 kg animal running towards you wanting to “play” – I think not… 

PHOTOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES

One of the biggest problems I had shooting the sea lions was not so much the number of individuals on the beach, as there were a dozen at more at any one time, but whether they had their eyes open.  It seems that many sea lions need seeing eye dogs as they romp around the beach with their eyes shut.  I understand that this is to protect the eye from blowing sand and the harsh sunlight. 

LEFT: Being ready to photograph all the time is sometimes difficult as when the action happens it can be fast and furious.  The two sea lions awoke from their slumber, argued briefly and then seperated company.  The altercation was over  a matter of seconds!

Compositional speaking, trying to separate a sea lion from the background or another animal was difficult.  The beach on which the sea lions gather is intermittently covered in kelp and seaweed.  Although the kelp looks nice, trying to position it within a defined frame can be difficult.

Environmentally the biggest hurdle was operating in a very sandy environment.  The wind blew on several days and the entrained sand manages to impregnate every book and cranny in your camera equipment.  It's OK  shooting from a standing position as the sand is only entrained within the first foot above the ground.  But, as soon as you kneel or lie prone, your equipment receives a good sandblasting.

CONSERVATION STATUS 

The conservation status of this species as determined by the ICUN is endangered and rthe population status is decreasing.  Although numbers fluctuate between years, the average number of sea lions is 10,000 individuals.  They have been totally protected since 1974.

LEFT:  Sleeping seems to be a good part of any sea lion's daily activities.  However, sleep and rest is important as these animals regularly spend a few days at sea traveling vast distances in search of prey.  It's important to try and not disturb a sleeping animal.

I enjoyed my time with the sea lions and I hope you have enjoyed reading about them...

To see more Australian Sea Lion images, type the name into the search box or search the stock gallery.  See also Photo of the Month.

Hunting Wild Tasmania Devils in the Night

Tasmania Devils (Sarcophilus harrissii ) are endemic to Tasmania, a small island state in Australia.  Once common throughout forest areas, these nocturnal creatures are declining in numbers and have been listed on the IUCN Red List as endangered.  The reason for the decline and IUCN listing is the development of a viral disease called Facial Tumour Disease.  The disease, which is still being investigated and mapped, spreads rapidly amongst devils as they fight and argue amongst themselves for mating privileges and when competing for food. 

LEFT:  A wild Tasmania Devil pauses and looks about for potential predators.

Natural History – A Few Facts

Devils are the largest marsupial carnivore, roughly weighing the same as a largish medium sized dog.  They have excellent smell, can travel long distances in an evening in search of prey, and can eat 20 times their own body weight in one sitting.  They primarily feed on carrion, although live prey is often taken.  Their life span in the wild for roughly 5 years and they become sexual mature at 2-3 years.  Although devils appear vicious looking they are not; I’ve had wild devils sniffing at my boots and playing with my tripod legs!  Adding to their perceived vicious reputation is their loud cry which is very unnerving when heard on a dark night, and their rather poor table manners – devils argue over food and often have short-lived fighting arguments which can be quite intense and very loud.

Photographing Wild Devils- Equipment

Photographing wild Tasmanian Devils is not easy!  First you have to find them, and then they have to be receptive to you being in their space.  Further, shooting at night with flash and fixed light is not the easiest of activities as any budding photographer will attest to.

I use an assortment of equipment to photograph devil which chnages depending upon the environmental situation.  Usually I have two industrial style spotlights set up either side of the carcass.  It’s important to try and disguise the lights as much as possible and usually I’ll hide them in the bush.  The purpose of the lights is to allow the camera to acquire a focus lock easily on an approaching devil.  I’ve discovered through trail and error that some devils don’t mind the lights at all, while others shy away from them – it’s a personal devil thing. 

LEFT:  A Tasmanian Devils rips open the carcass in a frenzy to eat as much as it can before other devils join in the feast.

I always use a tripod and usually use a 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens or a 300 f2.8 lens attached to a Canon 1Ds camera. I use two Canon 580 EX speedlights.  One flash is mounted on a Wimberely flash bracket from the camera L-plate (main light) and the other flash (fill light) is mounted on a small tripod and set off to the side.  I sync the speedlights using two pocket wizards. To ensure that the speedlights are pointing exactly at the devil and not pointing elsewhere, I use a small portable red laser light.  The laser light ensures that the flash is pointing a exactly the place I want the artificial light directed.  On occasion I also use a better beamer and/or flash snoot to help funnel the light and not expose the background too much.  I always set the flashes to manual and rarely use ETTL.

Nocturnal photography of wild animals can be very hit and miss, especially when you must maintain your position and be relatively quiet.  Often if you relocate your position on the fly, and the devil is wary, it will run away and not return that night.

LEFT: A Tasmania devil part way through it's dinner on carrion, stops and looks about before screaming out loud to warn other devils that he has first dibs on the food.

Establishing a Blind & Bait

I’ve spent quite a bit of time photographing devils in a number of locations and by far the best method is to establish a blind of some description; my latest blind was a hole in the ground covered with a military style camouflage net.  On this particular night it was quite amusing, it rained filling the shell scape (a small hole) that I’d dug with water.  I can remember spending the night cold, wet and miserable until 3 devils came by to cheer me up. 

LEFT: A Tasmania Devil stands over carrion that has been securely staked to the ground.

There is no chance that you will photograph, let alone see a devil without setting bait.  I usually collect road kill and then securely stake it to the ground in an opportune area.  I then create a number of blood trails through the forest leading to the staked kill .  A blind can be almost anything from a shell scrape in the ground with a net, to hiding amongst bracken.   It’s important to reconnoiter the location of the blind as it must be downwind of the carcass.  Devils have exceptional senses of smell, and they will smell you a long way off if your scent is blowing toward the carcass.  I remember on one devil shoot the wind was blowing the wrong direction.  I could see the devils in the distance circling the bait, but they would not approach closely.  I decided to cover my clothes with the odour of dead wallaby, and this partly solved the problem, but they were still wary.

LEFT:  Tasmania Devil with Facial Tumour Disease (FTD) on face near jaw.  In the last 12 months I have witnessed a steady increase of devils with FTD in this area.

Patience

Patience is a virtue with devil photography.  Although devils are most active and hour after dusk and an hour before dawn, they can turn up at the kill at anytime during the evening.  Often you must put in long hours of waiting for a devil to turn up – and then there is no guarantee that the devil will feed on the carcass.  I’ve seen lots of devils appear, scout the location and then disappear into the night as quickly as they appeared!

Exciting Experience

I enjoy photographing all animals; however, there is something about devil photography that keeps me wanting to go back for more.  Perhaps it’s having to be patient waiting for a devil to appear, or maybe it’s the work you have to do before you even see a wild devil.  You have to establish a blind, find road kill, set the bait and then stay awake most of the evening; you also get VERY dirty and often are covered in odour and blood from the carcass.   Certainly, the work before the shooting begins makes any images taken far more worthwhile.

I certainly get a “buzz” when, on a dark drizzly night, you see a white blaze in the darkness moving toward you!  To have the privilege of observing the feeding habits of these amazing creatures is a wonderful experience, albeit a messy one.

If you’re interested in reading more about the plight of the Tasmanian Devil, navigate to the official “Save the Tasmania Devil” web page at http://tassiedevil.com.au/

To read a little more about the Tasmania Devil Task Force, click here.

To view short video of devils feeding that I filmed on a previous trip, click the multimedia tab in the menu bar above.

Update on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 1:27PM by Iain Williams

FOLLOW UP: – MARCH 2011

Scientific study and results have identified that the disease was not caused by a virus or bacteria but an infectious line of cancer cells passed from one animal to the next by cell implantation, such as when they bite one another. 

This breakthrough at the State Government’s Mt Pleasant Laboratory gave hope to devil researchers that they might be able to control the disease in the wild.

Officials have stated that this maybe a turning point in the investigation of the devastating disease and the breakthrough study has been noted by the global scientific community.

Yellow-eyed Penguins - New Zealand

The Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes), named the “Hoihi” by the indigenous Maoris, only lives in New Zealand and is one of the rarest penguins in the world with a total population of about 4000-5000 individuals of which 1200 to 1600 are breeding. About one-quarter of these live on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand and Stewart Island. Most of them live on Campbell and Auckland Islands, about 600 km to the south in the sub-Antarctica.

NATURAL HISTORY

The Yellow-eyed Penguin is the largest penguin found in the temperate zone and is roughly 70 centimetres in height and weighs around 5 kilograms.  The penguins gain their name from the distinctive golden feathers which form a crown along their head and a bright yellow stripe that runs to the eye and around the back of the head.  Non breeding individuals lack this ornamentation.

Yellow-eyed penguins spend most of the daylight hours up to 20 miles from shore feeding on opal fish, silverside, sprat, red cod, and arrow squid at depths to 400 feet.  As such, they are excellent underwater swimmers and are adapted to holding their breath for up to four minutes.

LEFT: Classic image of a Yellow-eyes Penguin standing above thre dune foreshore scouting quickly for predators before turning and making its way to its nest and chick.

Their usual habitat is dense, cool coastal forests which afford the penguin shade during the day, shelter from the elements and protection from aerial predators.  Where forest is not available (due to farming practices and land clearing in New Zealand) flax and tufted grass areas are chosen amongst sand dunes.  Colonies and individual nets are scattered affairs and it’s not unknown for yellow eyes to trek up to a mile inland to their nesting site.  Unlike other penguins, who in the breeding season may stay on land during the day, yellow-eyed penguins spend the day at sea feeding before coming ashore at early evening to walk to their nesting site (except in the pre egg and moulting time).

LEFT: Yellow-eyed Penguin enters foreshore vegetation on the way to its nesting site.

YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN CONSERVATION

Because of its threatened species status, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust was established in 1987 to help conserve the penguin by protecting vital penguin habitat.  As part of the trust’s activities, farming areas were set aside and artificial nesting containers created in the hope of increasing the numbers of penguins.  Visitors to New Zealand are encouraged to visit areas that have breeding boxes established to observe and learn about the penguin.  Seeing a yellow-eyed penguin in semi-controlled environment is relatively easy and areas set aside like this provide an ideal platform to educate the public in penguin conservation.  However, my goal was to photograph the penguin in the wild; I particularly wanted photographs of the penguin coming ashore.

ABOVE:  Yellow-eyed Penguin storms the beach after a day feeding at sea.

To assist in locating and photographing the penguins I engaged the services of a local penguin guide from Back 2 Nature Tours.  Chris, the owner was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who was more than willing to try and help us photograph the penguins without disturbing them.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE PENGUINS & PENGUIN ETIQUETTE

Whenever I photograph wildlife, it’s important to understand the habits of your target animal so as to avoid causing undue stress on the animal.  This is particularly important with regard to the yellow-eyed penguin as disturbance is one of the major concerns with regard to the conservation of this species. 

Unlike other penguin species, the yellow eye is very highly strung and will easily jump at its own shadow!  It isn’t a sociable animal and they shy well away from humans, and even prefer to nest out of sight of their own kind.  This is a prime concern when photographing these penguins in the wild, for if the penguin sees you, often they will abort their shore landing.

As you can imagine, photographing this penguin species is not an easy task!  I soon learnt that it’s very difficult not to be seen by this penguin; their eyesight is phenomenal – getting close enough to obtain a decent photograph is tantalizingly difficult.  You will need a good telephoto lens and some type of camouflage to break up your body silhouette.  I spent about an hour lying in the sand waiting for the penguins to make their appearance.  I’m quite sure that to a passer by I may have looked like a military sniper a target rifle!

LEFT:  Part way up the beach, a Yellow-eyed Penguin pauses to llook for potential predators.

If you don’t have a hide established, or if your walking along the beach and observe the penguins coming ashore, it’s very important that you DO NOT stand up, but lower your body as close to the ground as possible to reduce your footprint.  Remember that these birds are very shy and easily scared – if you scare them and they decide not to land, then the chick will go hungry that evening.  Always give the penguin right of way!  If you see a penguin landing, stop, lower yourself to the ground, and wait for it to make its way to the dunes before resuming your activity.

As dusk approaches, the penguins begin to come ashore.  Unlike Blue Penguins that often come ashore in rafts of 10 to 20, the yellow eye storms the beaches either signally or in pairs.  Initially you will see them swimming about just past the breakers, as they scrutinise the shore searching for possible predators.  If they see you, they will not land!  Once they believe it’s safe, they will slowly make their way through the breakers to the beach.  Once they have reached the beach, they are still very mindful of anything in their vicinity, so it’s paramount that you keep hidden and do not move about unnecessarily.  Once the penguins have determined that the area is safe, they will slowly walk up the beach, into the dunes and eventually to their nests.  It’s very important that you do not follow them to their nest sites as this will stress the penguin and the chick (s).  Be content with watching the landing and observing the penguins as they make their way across the beach to the foreshore and dunes.

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR CAMERA

An odd title I know as you would think a photographer would err always have his camera with him - well not so!  I was with Chris from Back to Nature Tours doing a recognisance of the area Rebecca and I were going to shot the following morning.  Rebecca and I had already scaled a rather steep dune to the beach twice that day, so Rebecca opted to spend her time around the upper sections of the cliff looking about while Chris and I ran down to the beach for him to point out respective penguin access trails to me.  I left my camera in the car to save the weight - BAD MOVE.  As Chris and I rounded a corner on the dune, there was a yellow-eyed penguin half way up the dune.  The wind was blowing and the sand was being blown about the penguin's feet.  As Chris and I sat down, I wasn't that "pissed off" about not having my camera as the light was rather dull, although the penguin was close enough to get a full frame shot with a Canon 1 D MK3-S with a 70-200 lens.  What did really BUG ME major time was when the clouds parted and ray of golden light struck the penguin!!   I kid you not - this was the shot and where was my camera - IN THE CAR!   Was I annoyed - YES.  Am I still annoyed - YES.  Will I do this again - NO.   Message to be learnt, always carry your gear even on a recognisance outing and NEVER leave it in the car.

It was unfortunate that I only had a few days to search for the penguins.  I think with a longer time period far superior images can be aquired with patience, skill, and luck!

If your interested in yellow-eyed penguins, navigate to these links for further information.

• Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust New Zealand
• Back to Nature Wildlife Tours (guiding & advice)