Grey seal birth sequence CAUTION not for the squeamish

gentle lemur

gentle lemur

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
My favourite photo haunt at this time of year is Donna Nook National Nature Reserve.
On my third visit this year I was able to shoot a birth sequence. It was 3.30 pm and the light had gone because the sun had sunk below the sand dunes and I was on my way back to the car park - when I saw a group of people along the fence, all watching a seal cow in labour.
I had to stand on the bank on the other side of the path and shoot over the shoulders of the other spectators, luckily my 500mm has vibration reduction and my monopod is sturdy, so I was able to use slow shutter speeds with some confidence. I was a little surprised to see the pup born head first, as the other two births I have seen were both breech, but all three were fast and trouble-free.

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Wow, those are brilliant:).

Always envious of your photos, I must get a higher zoom for close-ups (would love to do some to go along with my profile shots). My 250mm lens doesn't seem to get anywhere near to close enough :(.


Can anybody recommend a good zoom lens for Canon, preferably at the more affordable end of the price range (<£500). I know I'm clutching at straws, but I'm looking between 300mm and 400mm (possibly higher if there are any at such a low price for what the product is).
 
Grey seal birth sequence CAUTION not for the squeamish

Sorry, can't see any 'squeam' about this at all; lovely sequence of shots & good facial expression on both animals.
 
Wonderful sequence Alan, just brilliant!

@Javan Rhino - I have a Canon 70-300mm IS USM that cost me around AUD$925 a few years ago, no idea how much they are in the UK but it's a good lens. It is not an L-Series, which would cost twice as much.

:p

Hix
 
Hix said:
Wonderful sequence Alan, just brilliant!

@Javan Rhino - I have a Canon 70-300mm IS USM that cost me around AUD$925 a few years ago, no idea how much they are in the UK but it's a good lens. It is not an L-Series, which would cost twice as much.

:p

Hix
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Thanks Hix. Just looked it up on Amazon and its £382.77 over here :).
 
Again a beautiful collection of photographs I was going to get the Nikon d300s but I was wondering if the new Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 150 - 500mm lens would be better could you help
 
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Thank you all for you all for your comments. In the circumstances, I am pleased with these photos; but I hope to get another visit in before the breeding season ends next month.

adrian1963 said:
Again a beautiful collection of photographs I was going to get the Nikon d300s but I was wondering if the new Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 150 - 500mm lens would be better could you help
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At the moment, I have no plans to upgrade from my D300 (I'm not the sort of photographer who needs the latest camera each year). I recommend Thom Hogan's website for objective reviews of Nikon gear Nikon Field Flash Digital Guide photography by Thom Hogan, although it seems he's still testing the D7000.
The Sigma lens can give good results, but I'm not sure how easy it is to use - it's often called the Bigma, so you might learn something by typing that into Google.

Alan
 
@Javan Rhino - I currently use the 70-300 IS canon lens, its a good lens I shot the Tigers fighting with it. I dont think thats a bad price either i paid nearer £600 a few years ago for it

@Gentle Lemur - Awesome pics
 
Reevesie said:
@Javan Rhino - I currently use the 70-300 IS canon lens, its a good lens I shot the Tigers fighting with it. I dont think thats a bad price either i paid nearer £600 a few years ago for it
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Ahh cool, I'll look into it. Thanks :)
 
It is vital that the mother and the pup can recognise each other in the colony, so they must learn each others' smells immediately. I was surprised that the cow made no effort to clean her pup. Many newborn pups are stained yellow by the amniotic fluid and sometimes by blood from the umbilical cord - but they all look white and fluffy in a few days (unless the cow has chosen a muddy spot).

Alan
 
I had a trip all organised for the weekend but it looks like I'll be cancelling due to the snow:(

Curent numbers:
Monday 29 November
405 bulls & 1085 cows present and 1329 pups born to date.
 
Pygathrix said:
I had a trip all organised for the weekend but it looks like I'll be cancelling due to the snow:(
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I agree, this weekend looks very unpromising. I still hope to get in another visit this season, as I am trying to concentrate my photography efforts at DN, but time is running out.

Alan
 
Well done with these photos Alan. It must be quite something watching in the flesh a birth of not your own and your not a midwife either!!:p
 
I went to Donna Nook again yesterday - it was very icy, but the light was wonderful and the snow and ice added something extra to the photos. I was sorry to miss the walk and talk at Chester, but I am trying to build up a portfolio of seal shots and I didn't want to miss my last opportunity to shoot this year. Shots of well-grown pups, courtship and mating now posted in the gallery (although you'll have to take my word for the last one - there is nothing offensive about the photo).

Alan
 
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