My boat trip took me to Blakeney Point which is a 3 mile long sand and shingle spit on the north Norfolk coast... and a mecca for wildlife.
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The boats (mine was similar to the one above) get quite close to the seals which can number around 500 depending on the location of local fish stocks. There are two species of seals in the UK... Common and Grey and both were in good numbers here.
Common Seals have a 'friendly' looking face and were easy to see on the sandbanks...
...also known as Harbour Seals the males average just under 5 feet in length while the females are slightly smaller.
Striking a cute pose... while basking in the sunshine.
Both species often live longer than 30 years and one female grey seal in the Shetlands was known to be 46.
Grey Seals are the largest living carnivore in Britain with 36 per cent of the world population found around the coast of the UK. The males grow to over 7 feet in length while the females average just under 6 foot.
The name 'grey' seal is misleading as there is a lot of variation in colour from black bulls to creamy white cows.
The name 'grey' seal is misleading as there is a lot of variation in colour from black bulls to creamy white cows.
Grey Seals can be aggressive especially during the breeding season...
I witnessed quite a few fights during my visit.
I witnessed quite a few fights during my visit.
I have shared a similar picture to this one before... this Common Seal was more interested in having his photo taken than watching the fight behind him... it always makes me smile when I see it.
Great series of images Andrew...[;o)
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome, Andrew! How cool! I'll probably never photograph anything like these in my life.
ReplyDeleteThose are very sharp photos for being in a boat rolling about or did they beach the boat and allow you to get out for a walkabout?
ReplyDeletesuch cool creatures. great shots, too!
ReplyDeleteI was on board the boat for the whole trip... I wouldn't advise getting too close to the seals.
ReplyDeleteAndrew these images are stunning - love the lighting, so clear and sharp. Brilliant mate
ReplyDeleteAndrew these are vey beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely amazing photos, Andrew. the seal in the last one is smiling for the camera. i enlarged each one to see their faces and the painted faces make me smile and i laughed at the one that appears to be doing exercises, but is clapping his hands, or is that tail? not sure but i love it
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos of the Seals.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place to visit. I love your behavioral shot of the seals.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, your recent posts make me so wish I was up in Norfolk - the area around Blakeny is one of my favourite places... on the planet!
ReplyDeleteThat last shot gave me a smile as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! We took that trip, and it's wonderful to revisit it through your photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat series Andrew.
ReplyDeleteGosh they do have big teeth..they always look so sort of laid back lying there on the beach, it's not often you see them fighting.
ReplyDeleteWhat delightful photos! I love the first one, which makes me wonder what the seals think of the gawking humans! And the roly-poly seal on the far right in your second photo makes me grin. :-)
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the great variety of colors of these wonderful critters, and by their lifespan (when we humans let them be and don't slaughter them, anyway!)
That last photo is probably my favorite. I'd bet good money that the cream-colored seal in the foreground is thinking, "Gah, men and their testosterone! I am soooo not impressed." :-)