I tracked down our duck eating seal again today, and this time captured him chasing, catching and eating another eider drake. This image is FF, as the poor duck tried to make it to shore in his efforts to avoid the seal.
1D2 500is with 1.4tc, F8 @ 1/640 ISO200.
As far as I am aware, these images could be unique, but I would be grateful to hear if anyone knows of any others in existence.
Best wishes
Phil
An interesting photo Phil. I've no idea if the behaviour is unique but I've certainly never heard of Grey Seals predating birds. Maybe an organisation like the Mammal Society could answer that question?
After seeing your first shots of this Phil I've asked a few fishermen if they'd seen this type of behaviour before, all reported seeing it fairly frequently,
If you do a search on Google you'll find that it's documented on a few sites too, although I've yet to see any shots of it, other than your own fine efforts.
Strange that folks should find this scene as sad; seals eat tons of fish every day and no-one bats an eye lid, yet if there's a bird being killed there's sentiment attached. Not a criticism of ppls feelings, just an observation
It's no different to leopard seals eating penguins in Antarctica I guess, but it's certainly the first time I've seen pics from closer to home. Well documneted Phil.
Nature is bloody in tooth and claw (and flipper). Well documented behavior and not anything I've seen photos of before (grey seals and Eiders). Well taken.
Thanks for the comments guys. The more I research into this, the more likely these appear to be the only photographic records. I have been in touch with various zoological departments and it would seem that Grey Seals do sometimes eat sea birds.
Gavin, there doesn't appear to be any records of Common Seals attacking sea birds, I think that my image is a little misleading as the seal's snout is buried in eider feathers. I have attached another image from the sequence which shows the seals's shape better.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by John Chapman on March 7, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Hi Philip
great capture of the event. We have a big population breeding here in the North east of Scotland and I have never heard of Eider's being taken with seals I will make some enquires.
John
Aberdeen
Discussion
11 replies1D2 500is with 1.4tc, F8 @ 1/640 ISO200.
As far as I am aware, these images could be unique, but I would be grateful to hear if anyone knows of any others in existence.
Best wishes
Phil
You have captured this sad scene so well - I don't think I will ever look at a Grey Seal again without thinking of this shot. A very moving image!
David
Paul
If you do a search on Google you'll find that it's documented on a few sites too, although I've yet to see any shots of it, other than your own fine efforts.
Strange that folks should find this scene as sad; seals eat tons of fish every day and no-one bats an eye lid, yet if there's a bird being killed there's sentiment attached. Not a criticism of ppls feelings, just an observation
I assume they hit like sharks? IE from below quickly before the duck can escape?
As i said before seals are pretty much sea wolves, if a food supply is easy to get they will take that food supply until another is easier.
Nice shot btw.
A very good behavioural image and well caught.
Rob
Gavin, there doesn't appear to be any records of Common Seals attacking sea birds, I think that my image is a little misleading as the seal's snout is buried in eider feathers. I have attached another image from the sequence which shows the seals's shape better.
Best wishes
Phil
great capture of the event. We have a big population breeding here in the North east of Scotland and I have never heard of Eider's being taken with seals I will make some enquires.
John
Aberdeen