XXL Ballerina from Helgoland

Andreas Liedmann · May 23, 2022

Digital Photo Professional

Hi folks ... just back from Helgoland where I had a blast with the Seals and the Gannets .
Conditions have changed a lot since my last visit back in 2015 during the summer season .... way more Seals , I mean way MORE !!
One day there where around 300 - 350 seals resting on the beach , the beach around 1 km long . Mostly gathering in 3 groups .... difficult to isolate individuals . Most activity took place in the middle of the day .... so light was quite harsh most of the time . When the light was good , they where just resting .....
Many visitors on Helgoland .... and new rules , observed by the " beach police " . But that's how it goes ...
No more lying peacefully on the beach to let the Seals come close to you , while hide tide is coming in !!!
And if I did so ... sooner or later , other folks with snappy cameras coming into my back ( standing tall ) spooked the seals into the ocean . Well well .... so I got asked by the " beach police " to keep that in mind , albeit they would know I do it " right " and causing no stress to the seals .

Canon EOS R3
EF 500 IS L II + 1,4 TC
Tripod

F 8 ; Iso 3200 ; 1/2500 sec
Full frame

Processed with DPP 4 and PSCC 2022

Thanks fro looking and commenting to my previous thread

Cheers Andreas

Steve Kaluski · May 28, 2022

Nice tones and clarity Andreas, just wish the tail was all in. Keeping a low profile was the way to go.

TFS
Steve

Gabriela Plesea · May 29, 2022

Sweet, she is so velvety and smooth and ... sharp at the same time :bg3:

Nice colours and textures and pose is great, well done Boetie!

Kind regards,

Andreas Liedmann · Jun 1, 2022

Thanks Steve and Gabriela .... for your kind comments , much appreciated .

@ Gabriela ... have not touched a Grey Seal yet , but can tell that the Sea Lions have crazy soft , smooth and velvety fur . Maybe the Grey Seals have it too ... will try to touch one , next time