New Life -Grey Seal Pup

As the sun set at Donna Nook on saturday evening I took this image of a Grey Seal pup I had watched for most of the day, as on my arrival there in the early hours he was being born,and it was a privilege to have witnessed this beautiful moment,I lay down watching this fellow being born,and the bond between mother and pup was amazing,I took no photos of this event as I felt it to private and personnel to capture.Over the day I keep checking back on him and became quite attached to him having seen him struggle for his first breath in the morning.I met up with Jeroen Stel there and his group, it was lovely to have met you after all our emails before hand,I also spent sunday with him at Bradgate/Dipper sites,great two days,thanks for the advice and tips And look forward to our 'Magic Of Mull' trip next year

All Comments And Advice Welcome

Tech;
Nikon D300
Nikon F4VR600
F8,1/640
iso 400,+0.3ev
Matrix
PP-CS3,Slight Crop

Thanks For Looking

Nice shot, the seal seems to be reflecting its birth.

Tim

Here is a image a while after his birth and the umbilical cord can be seen, he his sleeping and 'drying' out in the morning light,a beautiful moment

Great atmospheric images. I really like the second, with the look of utter contentment on the pup's face, now that it has arrived on this good Earth.

Fantastic atmosphere Craig

Love the light on image 1 Craig

Lovely shot Craig and beautiful sky

two very nice images Craig but the first one is particularly nice. Lovely light and composition.

Matt

A really fabulous pair of pictures that convey your sentiments perfectly.

Tim

Hello Craig.

The first image is superb and one I would be most pleased with.

I find the top to thirds of the second image also very nice but I do find the lower third is not working with the top two thirds. For me its just to much of a solid block and would have liked it to have faded in more.

Good work Craig.

Prefer the first one. The band across the bottom of the second is a shame. Maybe a massive clone job would help.
Cheers
JohnR

I love them both, they are stunning.

Lovely images Craig, I was there the day before but you've really surpassed anything I got.

Keep 'em coming.

Chris

2 great images Craig, especially number 2!
Paul.

Very nice images Craig. Much prefer your second with that lovely light on your subject.

Major.

Like both images Craig. Each one is special in its own way. A very nice narrative to accompany the images. Sounds like you had a great day.

Thank you all for your kind comments,I count myself very lucky to have seen this event and I had a great day thanks Maggie apart from the walk to and from the shoreline in the dark

Hi Craig

Nice feel to the shot (the space works well) and a good story. Perhaps a touch too much saturation, but it doesn't spoil the over all effect.

I'm sure our paths will cross at some point - there were quite a few togs there on Saturday and I'm sure if I'd been roaming around I could have spent most of my time talking instead of photographing

Cheers,
Chris

Hi Craig

Lovely sihouette!

David

Hi Craig, nice work and some nice records of your day. I like the second image a lot as it shows a little vulnerability at this early life stage. The umbilicus in that sense gives that sense of age. Did you know that it is infections via the umbilicus that is a major cause of deaths in these little guys!

Brett

Thanks everyone I did'nt know that Brett but I do know that it was amazing to watch,granted it was dark and getting light but I saw a magical moment,there were a few thoughout the day I saw on their own with no parents and was very upsetting to see and to hear their calls, that are not that different from babies crying Nature-Wow!

Both very nice, I like the vision in the first and agree with Brett on the second...

You've got me looking forward to a trip there some time soon...

Hi Craig,

Agree with the above, some of your best work! I really like them both.

Cheers,

Lewis.

Thank you all and a very nice response,I will be back there next week and if you are there feel free to say hello,Thanks again

The first shot has a very nice feel to it. The second shot is also very nice but as said above could loose some of the space below the seal.

Great work...and some nice recent shots on your blog too. Particularly the warbler.

Ian