Donna Nook meet?

[Fourwings]

I'm giving next Monday some serious thought for a visit, as long as the weather is ok!!

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by Richard G.

I think the better opportunities are out on the beach.

True, but it can be dangerous. The tide can easily come in behind you in places and very quickly too. It's easy to get cut off, so if you are thinking of going on the sandbanks, be very careful, even if you've checked the tide times.

The Lincs Trust (who manage the site) strongly advise not to go on the beach, so as not to disturb the seals. Their stance is "Legally we can't stop you, but we'd really rather you didn't".

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

True, but it can be dangerous. The tide can easily come in behind you in places and very quickly too. It's easy to get cut off, so if you are thinking of going on the sandbanks, be very careful, even if you've checked the tide times.

The Lincs Trust (who manage the site) strongly advise not to go on the beach, so as not to disturb the seals. Their stance is "Legally we can't stop you, but we'd really rather you didn't".

Very wise words Ben. There have been many instances of people getting cut off by the tide, not necessarily photographing the seals either.

This stretch of the east coast is a dangerous place as far as tides go and can catch out even experienced people who get complacent.

Is it worth risking yourself and the seals well being for a slightly better photograph!!

[Richard G.]

Aye, I can well imagine that people get caught out there. And the mud flats are not easy to cross quickly, unless you want to end up on your backside.

There is a sign up asking people to consider if they really need to go onto the beach. Many, many people were still doing so last Sunday though, I'd guess in the hundreds, though quite a few seemed to give up, once they realised it's not just a simple walk along the beach.

Everyone was behaving well though, especially the togs, keeping a respectful distance (never seen so many expensive long lenses in one place ) and the animals seemed quite used to the presence of people. There were a couple of people went tearing across the beach on motorbikes, which seemed an odd thing to do, but 'tis a free world I s'pose

[pressld2]

I got my dates mixed up and was okay for this weekend so Neil and I went up there today. We didn't go out on the beach in the end - didn't need to to be honest. The vast majority of the seals were close in to the fence and one very kindly gave birth to her pup six feet in front of about a hundred admiring spectators, us included. I've posted a seperate thread for that at Grey Seal Birth. Unfortunately my camera had developed a fault with the shutter so I was limited to the bottom three fifths of my sensor and the photos are all panoramic!

Here's a few that I got before the camera troubles started...



I shall post a few more panoramic shots tomorrow.

By the way, Ben was right - weekends get very busy...



Dave P.

[pressld2]

As promised, here are a few from my "panoramic period". The first one is the very first shot in which the shutter fault was apparent and I was fortunate that the panoramic crop works. The other two were composed as panoramics to start with. The last is my favourite shot from the day - taken while lying down of course!



Dave P.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by pressld2

As promised, here are a few from my "panoramic period". The first one is the very first shot in which the shutter fault was apparent and I was fortunate that the panoramic crop works. The other two were composed as panoramics to start with. The last is my favourite shot from the day - taken while lying down of course!



Dave P.

They the sign of great photographer is one who needs only three 5ths of his sensor available to him...

great pics dave, Im just going through mine now

[pressld2]

Cheers Neil. I'm looking forward to seeing your shots.

Dave P.

[acherontia]

Nice images!

#5 of Richard G's is so incredibly cute it should be banned!

I missed my trip this year as I had the hip replacement As Mr Deathshead went with college last year he'd promised me a visit there but perhaps next year - I hope. He said that , besides the tide, you had to watch out for protective Mums and aggressive bulls.

AA

[Richard G.]

Some pretty nice shots under the circumstances Dave
I can't imagine composing shots whilst trying to ignore the top 2/5's of the frame , must have been a little frustrating to say the least. That last one is lovely though, nice to see the 80-400mm still doing it's stuff for you.