Sandfly

On Wednesday after school, Alan (Columba Maths Teacher) took us out on the Otago Peninsula to Sandfly Bay.  I thought that Sandfly Bay was named for the highly annoying biting insect.  This is incorrect.  Sandfly Bay is aptly named after the sand that flies in your face and every crack, crevice, and orifice open to the prevailing north-east wind that lashes at the coast.

Sandfly Bay is also a great place to see wildlife.  We saw native New Zealand birds called Oystercatchers.  Alan told us there are always sea lions on the beach and he was right.  We saw several HUGE Hooker Sea Lions basking in the sun as well as a mother and her pup playing in the dunes.  At the far end of Sandfly Bay is a yellow-eyed penguin sanctuary.  We did not see any as we were there too early in the day.  There is a nice blind set up to observe the penguins as they come up to the shore and head up the cliff side to nest.

 Sandfly Bay is a good hike up and down some fairly significant sand dunes.

And you think free range chickens have it good?

An Oystercatcher. (not my photo)

Lion's Head Rock and surf.  There were about a dozen surfers out today.  Many were American students from the University of Otago.

Molly with a very large sea lion in the background.  

A very large sea lion with Molly and her friend Caroline in the background.

The sea lions cover themselves with sand.  They are very good about letting you take their photo but you should stay a good 10 m away.  AN upset sea lion is not a good thing.

Mother and pup in the dunes.

Molly and Caroline buried in the sand at Sandfly Bay.