Willie the one-eyed seal
It's been a bit over a month since I arrived at Macquarie island and I still feel like I'm settling in. There are a number of things to get a grip on: the lifestyle, the role you play in keeping station running but ultimately, it’s the wildlife that throws you most.
The elephant seals and penguins are around so much, you feel like you might get used to them but I can’t see it happening, the constant fighting, barking, snorting, farting and burping shocks even the most straight faced walkers going by.
On one such walk I noticed something different on one of the elephant seals, this one was missing an eye. It’s the first I have seen of this and I really have no idea if it’s common. How much could living the cyclops life affect a seal?
After walking around the isthmus for a couple hours in 40 knot winds I’ve decided it is in fact uncommon.
I've nicknamed this one-eyed seal Willie, in hopes that it too will travel the seas in search of food and return to Macca each year to lay its claim to our treasured island.
I can't see our furry friends becoming so common that I don’t notice them, but more like the sounds that remind us of home, the hustle and bustle of a busy street replaced by warring egos crashing together with a loud smack!
They say the best is to come, with spring bringing the majority of the elephant seal population to Macca and with it the famed beach masters. For now, the insanity of sanding a piece of timber inside the hobby hut while watching seals and penguins rolling around outside still shocks the system.
I'll keep a look out for Willie but as one of hundreds of elephant seals on the isthmus along with fur seals, sea lions, penguins and giants petals, it's easy to become distracted.
Liam
