Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina
Baby seals frolic in the surf where the small waves meet the sand. A rocky outcrop at one point on the shoreline creates natural pools where they play in groups.
Small, black and shimmering in the sunlight, the pups look like they’re in a nursery. Nearby their mothers keep a watchful eye on them as they play.
For the sea lions of Peninsula Valdes, this is the closest they get to a community – families living together as the youngsters grow up and develop.
It’s a safe environment for the sea lions here on the peninsula near Puerto Madryn, which is protected by both UNESCO and the Argentinian authorities.
It’s one of the most important breeding grounds for marine animals in South America and home to a variety of species.
Sea lions at the north, elephant seals further down the coast. On the beaches and dunes live penguins over the summer breeding period. During some months, whales and orcas inhabit the waters nearby and use the peninsula as protection from the rough seas.
Patagonian animals
Visiting Peninsula Valdes feels a bit like going to a zoo. It also feels nothing like a zoo. And it feels exactly how you wish zoos felt.
Each species seems to have its own particular spot on the peninsula it uses for its colony. Rarely do they mix. So to see the whole selection of animals you drive from place to place.
“Our next stop will be the elephant seals”, our guide tells us.
And she was right – there they were on the beach, just as promised.
We drive to one particular cliff to look down and see the penguins. And the highlight of the day – the sea lions – were at exactly the beach we had expected them to be at.
Creatures of habit, they come back to the same location every year during this season.
Being a protected area, Peninsula Valdes is a sanctuary for wildlife and it’s not just the marine animals that benefit. On land, creatures rule this domain.
We see armadillos, foxes, guanaco, and dozens of different species of bird. Even our guide gets excited when she sees a breed of wild cat that she has never spotted before, despite guiding groups through the peninsula for seven years.
It says a lot about the place that you can find such a sense of wonder after just one visit or even after hundreds.
So, so cute! The fox in the middle of the road looks so thoughtful lol 🙂
I think the fox was only thinking about what food I possibly had with me!
Incredible wildlife! Those seals are SO cute! 😉 Clever title!
The seals are super cute. I loved the way the little pups all played around with each other like kids.
I thought you’re talking about the enforcement team when I read the title. 😀
Ha ha. That would’ve been a much cooler story!! 🙂
omg the seals are super gorgeous!
I just wish we could have gone down and played with them… but ‘apparently’ that’s not the done thing 🙂
Great shots, Michael! I especially love the wild cat and the fox. We were actually talking to a tour company today about a new tour they’re doing to this region of Argentina starting later this year. Looks like a place we’d love…
Oh, if you get a chance you have to go! I know you’ve seen a lot of amazing places in the world, Bret, but I think you will find Patagonia hard to top for the scenery!
The Fox are so cute and seals are cute as well!
It’s almost like they’re all just posing for us! 🙂
Love the seals, especially the babies – adorable!
The baby seals looked like they were having so much fun playing around in the water. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that orcas can actually launch themselves onto the beach and snatch them!
ahh they look so cute together
Sealed with a kiss, perhaps? 🙂
I love this place! Didn’t see a wild cat when I was there!
It’s such a beautiful part of the world!!