NZPhotographer Issue 56, June 2022

Seal Pup Stare
Canon R5, Canon RF100-500 @ F7.1, 1/800s, ISO2000, 400mm
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOVE OF
PHOTOGRAPHING FUR SEAL PUPS…
Anyone who follows my Instagram feed will know that
I am obsessed with fur seal pups! They are the most
incredible little animals. They have such personalities it
is hard not to fall in love with them!
I always sit down quite a distance from the pups
and watch and wait. Pretty soon, little heads start to
pop up from behind rocks and slowly get closer and
closer. The challenge with most wild animals is getting
close enough to get a shot, but fur seal pups are the
complete opposite. It’s often a challenge shooting with
long lenses as they are so cheeky and curious that they
will advance to check you out, even going as far as
to stick their head into the lens hood, as happened to
me once! I usually find myself tripping over things in an
effort to get far enough away to get them in the frame.
I have spent so much time observing them that I
have recognised certain pups when returning to a
particular area. They may all look similar at first glance,
but in fact, they are all so different, from the different
colours of their fur to their facial markings.
Fur seals are incredibly playful, and this makes for
some amazing photos when they are practising their
swimming in little rock pools or play fighting with
another pup, or my favourite, when they look at you
with their head upside down.
I find spending sunrise with baby seals is one of the
most amazing experiences. They are all quite active
at that time of the morning, and usually, a lot will
have just come back in from a swim, so their fur will
be a gorgeous glistening gold. It makes for fantastic
images, and who doesn’t love looking at cute baby
animals!
I aim to draw the viewer into my photos so they feel
emotion when looking at them. Photography has
given me incredible insight into the lives of these
beautiful beings, and I have learned so much from
observing them.
I hope my images will inspire others to care. Things are
pretty grim for many species. I hope my photos may
encourage people to care about the environment
and become proactive in protecting the beautiful
wildlife we are so privileged to share this earth with.
NZPhotographer
June 2022
31