In the process of looking through images for an article, I came across this photograph, which I haven’t posted or published before. It’s an Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) that I met last year.
If you’re concerned about the fish-in-distress, don’t worry…it survived. Here’s the story:
While we were playing together, the sea lion dashed off and zig-zagged around the seabed, occasionally “looking over its shoulder”, so to speak, indicating for me to tag along.
Actually, we had been cavorting in the shallows for the better part of an hour by that point, so the sea lion most likely knew I would do my best to keep up, but it sure seemed like he turned back to check on me a few times.
After zipping around for a bit, he slammed on the brakes, shoved his face into a pile of seaweed, executed a pinpoint 180º turn and presented me with a fish…taking obvious pride in his find. I took a few photos, then indicated as best that I could that I didn’t need a snack, and I wasn’t particularly interested in holding the fish in my mouth.
He must have understood, because he let the fish go and looked at me with a puzzled, somewhat insulted, expression, as if asking: “What is wrong with you?”.
Meanwhile, the poor little fish tried to swim (actually…limp) away, but the sea lion would have none of it. He executed a quick flourish and re-captured it, once again presenting the despondent fish to me.
Once again, I deferred.
Once again, he questioned my sanity…as the fish made a desperate, but hopeless, dash for freedom.
Once again, he snagged the (now thoroughly exhausted) fish and offered it to me.
And yes…once again…I indicated “No, I am absolutely not going to chew on the fish, no matter how pretty it is.” this time, doing a flourish of my own accentuated by a couple of flips in the water…as an attempt to distract the persistent pinniped.
Fortunately for the fish, my little ruse worked. The ever-curious sea lion spit out the (now completely panicked, hyperventilating) fish, and swam over to check out why I was doing flips in the water.
…then, there was a “Wait a second…” moment (picture light bulb over Elmer Fudd’s head), when the sea lion looked at me, looked back at where he’d left the fish, and realised that he’d just been duped.
In far less than the blink of an eye, he was back to where his catch had been, but by then, the little fish had managed to disappear into a morass of seaweed.
The sea lion made a complete mess of the seaweed in an attempt to relocate his prey/ toy, but in the end, he stopped looking and gave me the cold shoulder..until of course, I did a few more flips in the water and he zipped right over to play again.
The point of the story? Somewhere out there is a fish that owes me.
Related posts:
Sea Lion Sequel
Fun with Sea Lions
Me At Work During Leap Year
Socialising with Sea Lions
Great story! It made me smile.
What a great little story. Funny too!
Cracking find on ‘Stumble’.
That is some cute puppylooking photo you have there, the story enhances the photo more so!
Many thanks,
J.
What a load of bull. That picture is photoshopped – I can tell from the pixels.
This story is lies.
Mr Cronk your comment is also shopped… i can tell the pixels in the letters
Wow, that’s amazing. I had no idea Sea Lions looked so cute with whiskers and everything
Very well written story … and loved the ending
Cute story!
*Possibly dumb question* Aren’t sea lions really vicious though? Or do the ones from different parts of the world behave differently?
or am I just completely wrong and possibly thinking of another animal?
Wow! You sure know how to tell stories. I mean, I wasn’t gonna read past the first paragraph because I’m not too eager about sea-life, but your style of writing is so inviting, compelling and entertaining. I admire that.
It’s funny how cultures change. If you were a Greek three thousand years ago, you would have taken the fish, tossed it back and forth with the seal until it was a lump of fishy flesh. – and thought nothing about it. Thanks to the Troubadours we have a certain sensitivity of animal’s feelings. Not that I’m judging .. A culture that feels for animals is much less cruel, but also – maybe a little less naturalistic and human.
real story or not it was still adorably entertaining thank you
The photo is already cute and the story packs a very good laugh and smiles through. Entertaining read!
What a good story about the power of non-verbal communication!
Probably the best story I’ve read in a long time! I really like the ending! =)
poor fish…but I like this picture.
Cute story
Cute story indeed!
Great sory and a cool picture
I was taught to never pass up free food when in the home of a friend. The sea is where the sea lion lives(hence the name, sea lion). The least you could have done was to point to something in the distance, and tuck it away in your wet suit when he wasn’t looking.
Works for everything except soup.
Oh that is such a wonderful story, brought a smile to my face on a really stressful morning, thanks
Right ho Tony, the fish escapes, your underwater puppy got a free show, we get the evidence, there are lots of us out here that owe you. Big time. Tony, I’m looking to purchase my first underwater camera, with a low budget of $500. What brand or model might you recommend? Thanks!
Such a cute story. But I still don’t know how believable it is
Very cute story! Made my night.
Its a good thing you didn’t take the fish: That was a mating ritual.
thas cool check out http://www.playandsearch.com
haha! that’s so cute!
that’s a cute story
just dropping in from StumbleUpon.
You have a pretty nifty site here. I’ll be sure to bookmark it for daily visits.
You are a good story teller. I don’t care if it was real or not.
and the photo is adorable.
=]
Mr Tony Wu,
Not only a terrific underwater photog but an excellent short story writer as well! All the elements for great success.
Hugs.
Sounds like the sea lion wanted to make a friend. By offering you a fish he made a huge gesture of friendship. How interesting, a differnt specie ,who does not speak the same language, comunicated clearly and profoundly with clear intent,and how sweet a message it was! A common language,hunger.It’s to bad humans dont do the same for each other more often.
A great story thank you.
precious story. I really liked it an well written
Thanks everyone! I was away without my laptop for a week. Sorry for my late response.
I’m happy the story brought a smile to most people who read it.
Laurah – no, sea lions aren’t vicious. Of course, under certain circumstances, they can be aggressive, like any other wild animal, but they’re far from vicious by nature. Inquisitive, yes. Playful, definitely. Intelligent, absolutely.
Cheers,
Tony
That is so cute. I “stumbled upon” this and it made me smile and chuckle a few times.
I would love to have a moment like this.
Thanks for the picture ans story. It made my laugh and smile today!
I hope that fish eventually clears his debt to you.
lol! Cute story. The best part was the ending… “Somewhere out there is a fish that owes me.” lol! I am sooo having a Finding Nemo moment right now!
Has it occurred to anyone that sea lions (or any pinniped) actually eat fish? So the concern for the poor little fish is quit out of proportion.
What a cute story, are sea lions generally safe to play with?
I can’t profess to be a sea lion expert, but I think it’s reasonable to say that encounters with sea lions are like encounters with any other wild animals. It’s best to have the benefit of specific knowledge about the animals.
This sea lion was part of a resident colony of males, and the interaction was during play time…so it was fairly safe. When the bulls are getting ready for the mating season and challenging one another though, it’d probably be advisable to stay away.
As with all other encounters, in the end, it’s a judgement call.
This story made my day! Well done.
im sure the fish is very greatful
used to be a tour guide at baird bay here in sa and used to take people swimming with sealions….and get paid for it!!
the sealion wasnt looking at that ornate box fish for food it was a toy, something bright to play with, like a ball to a dog or a mouse to a cat.
the box fish are pretty much inedible as they are made up of cartilage in a honey comb pattern which makes a really strong skeleton then over the top they have the same rough skin as the leather jackets.
as for the sealions they are very intelligent, intriguing animals and win you over, all you have to do is look at that pic and it says it all.
If you ever get a chance go to http://www.bairdbay.com and go swimming with them and bottle nose dolphins. absolutely wild animals that enjoy human company. no feeding just love.
at the end of one tour one lady in her 80’s walked up to me and said ‘it’s been the best experience in my life’
It’s one of the best experiences you will ever have so get on to it…..
Thanks, I suspected as much about the fish, but I wasn’t certain.
And thanks for the Baird Bay link too!
wierdest thing happened, after i posted this i went down the beach to get some stuff for my aquarium and found a little new zealand fur seal. very rare at this spot and looking very skinny, he didnt run away ( dont just got waling up to them they can be dangerous and it does stress them out) but i had a fair bit of experience in what to look for and got up close and he came to me, so he;s obviously hungry. i called some people and i took him some food, fingers x’d i dont see him again, that way he was strong enough to head home.
but weird just after posting on here.
Hope the fur seal was ok. I’ve spent some time with NZ fur seals in the water and on land too. They’re wonderful animals.
They tend to be gregarious though, don’t they? Kind of strange if there weren’t other fur seals around?
yeah they are very pack related, ive only seen them in packs, the least ivce seen would be 4 and im sure the other wernt too far away.
i hoping the little guy will be ok, he would be 6 months max and no other seals around i think he got blown off course with the really bad weather we’ve had, if he looks real bad 2moro ill step up my rescue, ill leave the details out. but the national parks here would just come down and shoot him, and the others dont want anything to do with it, let nature takes its course. Sealions have been clubbed and brought to near extinction and are still going down hill, projected out looks on the west coast of sa says some colonies will be gone in 15years. seals are more abundant but i cant stand back and let one die, so i will do everything in my power to help the little guy.
like i said earlier i hope the lil dude is gone, strong enough to swim home.
on a brighter note, ive looked at your other pics….wow. stunning. you will deffantly have to come down this part of the world.
salut ca va
Best story I have read in ages. And further to that a fantastic photo.
How do you intend to call in this favour with the fish? I mean, if a fish owed me one I would certainly take advantage of it.
Excellent question