Seal Photography

[wolfie]

For anyone interested in photographing seals at the Donna Nook reserve.

The seals have now started to congregate at the waters edge. Several have now come closer to the dunes to have their pups, but as yet a very long lens would be required.

For anyone planning a trip up here I would suggest leaving it for a week or two, and then to arrive early morning, The reserve warden estimated that in excess of 65,000 attended last year, so it now gets very crowded with visitors.

Harry

[Saphire]

Thanks Harry, we were thinking of going sometime in November and spending a few days on a campsite, how close can you get to the seals and still be safe.

[wolfie]

Hi Christine.

If you go midweek the seals are fenced off, and a few are usually up against the fence so you can be within touching distance. I often lean over the fence to get a close-up of the seal pups, but you do need to keep an eye open as the mothers can be quite protective.

Actually it's much the same at weekend, but if you're feeling very fit you can walk out to the waters edge ( not for the feignt hearted) as it's a long walk and very wet and muddy.

This is a photo I took on Monday, almost the full extent of my 400mm lens.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ectantSeal.jpg

In a couple of weeks I will probably be using my 24-70mm lens

[Saphire]

Thanks Harry. I will have to let you know when we decide to go, we could probably meet up, we have still to pick a week when we are free and when the weather looks good.

[wolfie]

There are now enough seals to make a visit worthwhile. Was there this morning (Friday) beautiful sunny day, but an howling gale made photography almost impossible.

Harry

[Saphire]

Thanks Harry, I think we will be putting the visit on hold until the weather improves. The seal looks so cute, I have only ever seen them in zoos.