Seals at Blakeney Point

[Alan Hewitt]

Originally Posted by david156

To stop any arguments before they start and to stop going over old ground, i'll just state that not all photographers are irresponsible and that within every Hobby / profession there are a minority who give the others a bad name.

Cheers David

Of course!

[Hoppingmad]

Thanks for all the info. Some really useful tips which hopefully will make my trip more successful.

Understand what you are saying re some spoiling it and scaring subjects off. Experienced the same thing myself recently while photographing hares in Suffolk. Some photographers could not be satisfied from what was really a short distance and just had to go nearer until they scared the hares off.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Alan Hewitt

Donna Nook seals are effectively harassed by the volume of 'photographers' with little or no thought for the welfare of the seals. Too many getting far to close.

It's perhaps worth mentioning that, as I understand it, the excessive level of disturbance to the seals at Donna Nook results not just from the minority of irresponsible photographers who try to get far too close but also from the large numbers of general observers (ie. Non-photographers) who also venture out onto the beach to see them rather than staying behind the fence - as recommended by the local Wildlife Trust who manage the site.

Having said that, I'm told that some visitors have strayed out to the beach after having seen photographers amongst the seals, so perhaps those photographers are indirectly responsible for the behaviour of others.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[Alan Hewitt]

Jeff, I think that goes along with something I had heard from a friend who had been photographing the Seals.

They were a good distance away using 400mm - 600mm lenses. He was of the opinion that the 'general observers' you mention see photographers and decide they too wish to take a photograph using what most of us now have in our pocket. It was his opinion that the rise in seal harassment seemed to correlate with the fact that people now nearly always have a camera with them and just see a photo they want to take with little or no regard for the impact of their actions. They have to get pretty close to get a photo with a phone.

Having never been and therefore never witnessed this myself I can't verify it.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Alan Hewitt

Jeff, I think that goes along with something I had heard from a friend who had been photographing the Seals.
They were a good distance away using 400mm - 600mm lenses. He was of the opinion that the 'general observers' you mention see photographers and decide they too wish to take a photograph using what most of us now have in our pocket. It was his opinion that the rise in seal harassment seemed to correlate with the fact that people now nearly always have a camera with them and just see a photo they want to take with little or no regard for the impact of their actions..........

Exactly so Alan

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[johnoz]

Worth considering walking out to the end of Blakeney Point. Not easy, as mostly large pebbles en route, and a fair old way. We've done this twice, and carefully approached the end of the Point and sat down quietly to wait. Both times we've been rewarded by having curious seals swim over from the sand banks and approach us, getting to within 20 yards or so (staying in the water, of course, but popping their heads up high to see us) - as much them watching us as us watching them! Marvelous!

[david156]

Originally Posted by johnoz

Worth considering walking out to the end of Blakeney Point. Not easy, as mostly large pebbles en route, and a fair old way.

Try to get a low tide on the way back down from the point when your tied. The sand left when the tide retreats is a lot easier to walk on!

[johnoz]

Originally Posted by david156

Try to get a low tide on the way back down from the point when your tied. The sand left when the tide retreats is a lot easier to walk on!

Useful advice - thanks!