Leopard seal sunbathing, while sea lion prioritises working on handicap

Summer is supposedly right around the corner and marine mammals are heading our way — some have already arrived.

A leopard seal (above) turned up at Ocean View Beach yesterday, sunning itself on the sand, looking quite relaxed.

Leopard seals are easily identified by their long slender body and comparatively sizable fore-flippers.

The leopard seal’s disproportionately large head, massive jaws, impressive teeth and tremendous gape give it a snake-like appearance.

The one spotted was about 2.7m long.

They were a rare sight in New Zealand waters for a long time, but are popping up on what seems like a more regular basis, now classified as a resident species.

Any sighting of them should be recorded with the Department of Conservation (Doc).

On Monday night, golfers at Chisholm Park had something of an added obstacle on the 18th green.

A sea lion waddled across the green (left) about 7.50pm, to the surprise of players.

The breeding season is not far away and golfers at Chisholm Park will be hoping Monday’s visiting sea lion does not get too comfortable on the 18th green.