Valdivian Sea Wolves

Thursday we woke up to rain and wind pounding on the windows of our luxurious hotel. Looking down to the riverfront we could see Valdivia's famous outdoor fishmarket.

Before Hannah W had to catch a cab to Temuco, we were determined to find out what was so interesting about fish.

There was plenty of fresh salmon,

and yummy, yummy fish heads.

There were four kinds of clams,

colorful crabs,

fresh sea urchins, and lots of vegetables to complement your seafood.

It was no surprise then, to see why people aren't the only Valdivians to be attracted to all the food on display here.

The harvest of the sea is so bountiful that it also attracts half-ton Lobos Marinos, "Sea Wolves" or Sea Lions, as we know them, who swim twenty kilometers upriver from the ocean to beg for scraps. Here a feisty guard dog holds at bay one of the much larger carnivores that has sneaked over the barrier fence until help arrives with a firehose to force the Lobo back into the Marino.

All this activity is undoubtedly a nuisance and a danger for the fishermen, but greatly entertaining for the rest of us, who buy the tails and fishheads to toss to the creatures while we photograph them.

Here a lobo is standing on tippy toes for a treat,

until the ever watchful guard dog makes him back down.

Meanwhile this fellow has squeezed right under the feet of a fishmonger where he peacefully gorges on the trimmings.

Cormorants also grab a meal whenever they get the chance.