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Donna Nook, Lincolnshire. 20th November 2004
This gives you an idea as to what the conditions were like. Very exposed with no hiding place against the wind. It was also very wet at this spot and before I had really started photographing seals, I was wet and muddy. Thankfully I came prepared with waterproofs! The camera/lens is attached to my fluid tripod head which is screwed into a wooden block and attached to a kitchen tray. This allowed me to push the camera along the beach without having to lift a heavy tripod and disturbing the birds.
Some people are so ignorant and just haven't got a clue. This (so called) photographer had clearly noticed I had, over a period of some time got myself into a good position to photograph some young seals playing in the sea. Even so he walked around shooting at anything that moved which obviously did because they were being disturbed. Also from his shooting position he would surely not get any good shots of seals looking down at them.
I really like this shot as it shows just how careful we were and also how we went organised. Nick is actually the second seal from the right along the waters edge. Wearing darker colours that blend in to the surroundings is very important in trying not to disturb the wildlife. This is very difficult when you only have a flat sandy surface to work with but it is still important to keep a low profile.
It is possible to get great shots with a wide range of lens. I mainly used my large telephotos but Nick had a go with his wide angle too.
Getting close to seals is not difficult but care must be taken at all times. They apparently give quite a bite and will charge if threatened.
Seal pups are very very cute and some of them were only a few days old, still with their umbilical cords. If you time it right it would be possible to see the mothers giving birth. Click here for some of my seal pictures. |
