I’ve always been envious of those people who have had the opportunity to get close enough to Seals to photograph them at a reasonable resolution. This taken at the limit of the lens I had on the camera, but, hey, it’s my Seal. I’m going to guess it’s a Common Seal (or Harbour Seal) as opposed our Grey Seal – but I’m open to correction.
——–Stephen——–
Stephen G Hipperson 
How darling! Who doesn’t love a seal? There’s nothing like getting close to nature’s beautiful creatures. Thank you for sharing YOUR seal with us!
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Stephen, Looks like a Harbor Seal to me, too (I am not a Biologist or expert). I love the picture of that seal. Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
Thank you!
I wish I lived nearer the sea and could take advantage of such opportunities more often.
He’s cute. I love seals. Great capture.
Thank you, Edith.
This is a lovely shot Stephen. When I was out in the bay yesterday we had a pod of porpoises (may have been dolphins) playing around the boat. I only had the point and shoot which was almost impossible to aim on zoom in bright sunlight. I had no idea when and where the porpoises were going to pop up next. I’d hear a puff of air, usually behind me of course and then they were gone. I only managed a couple of less than sharp pictures of dorsal fins. I’m envious of your seal shot.
I appreciate your difficulty. I’ve had the chance to take pictures of wild dolphins on a couple of occasions and I’ve got lot of backs and tails – no telling when they were going to come up..
Funny you posted this today, I was at the English Bay, B.C. Canada yesterday and saw the head of Seal…shoot quickly but it was bit too dark…so in vain. 😦 This is great shoot Stephen and now I’m envious!
Thank you! – but your seals are your seals, they mark the start of a new journey perhaps. 🙂
True, am dreaming of the day to see them again! 🙂
🙂 – “So the journey begins” – so much potential.
Scillies are a great place for Seal shots, on the boat trips you can get really close. Land based seal shooting is so much harder. My best effort came after 30 minutes and scores of duff shots up near Hickling Broad.
I suspect the pros spend a little more than 30 minutes. I’d guess they get to know the particular group of seals they intend to photograph, knowing the best state of tide to photograph and sit and wait for them – much in the way one would wait for the incoming tide to bring waders to you on the sea shore.
If you’re interested try this….
http://snowgood.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/curious/
🙂
Excellent
Cheers! 🙂
Nothing like the pride of ownership
Absolutely. 😉 (I resisted in giving it a name!)
You need to sing to them, or so I was told on the glorious Isle of Eigg, off the west coast of Scotland, as seals are curious creatures and will come close to investigate (the residents of Eigg have obviously never heard me sing!) I was also told that ‘grey seals go bananas’ that is, they lie on rocks in a distinctive curved pose, wit their tails lifted, common seals don’t.
We saw otters too, scampering along the beach and one lying on it’s back in the surf, munching on a crab; it was pre my DSLR owning days… but I own the memory!
Thanks for that tip. (La La La Do Ray Me!)
Sounds a similar principle to ‘pishing’ that birdwatchers do.
Sounds a place to move up my ‘must visit’ list.
Fantastic work!
Thank you!
Glad you got the seal to agree to a photo session. 🙂
🙂 🙂 Actually, the seal is in a public space and below the low tide mark, so I’m not sure that I really needed it’s agreement. 😉
Where is Heidi ^^?
🙂
Knowing his(?) luck she’s off with Karl – you know what these seals are like!
cute as anything!
🙂 – unless you’re a fish!
You were lucky to shoot this nice guy – right in the moment he looks at you! Great shot!
Thank you. Unfortunately, it gradually drifted away from me, it doesn’t take long before things are out of range.
Nice one.
Thanks. I seldom get to see such wildlife so I was pleased to get this one.
Thanks. I seldom get to see such wildlife so I was pleased to get this one.
It’s looks as if you’ve done a real number on my blog today – I very much appreciate your input and time you spent doing it, thanks!