I photographed many elephant seals over the past fifteen years or so, both the southern and northern species. This bull, a northern elephant seal, was one of the first I captured. It was a glorious morning in Año Nuevo State Park in California and being early in the season, this guy had the beach to himself. Of course, that meant no females around to impress yet either. In another few weeks the beach would be full of seals, fighting for territorial and mating rights. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 75mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
He is very much the “King of the Coast”! (I can almost hear his bellowing.) I can understand why it was such a memorable moment for you–sharing the beach with such a creature.
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I photographed many elephant seals over the past fifteen years or so, both the southern and northern species. This bull, a northern elephant seal, was one of the first I captured. It was a glorious morning in Año Nuevo State Park in California and being early in the season, this guy had the beach to himself. Of course, that meant no females around to impress yet either. In another few weeks the beach would be full of seals, fighting for territorial and mating rights. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 75mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Do you ever kiss the animals while you’re photographing them? I don’t mean anything creepy. Just like, a respectful, European peck, you know?
What a dramatic shot, Sean! I don’t know how you could have improved this image.
He is very much the “King of the Coast”! (I can almost hear his bellowing.) I can understand why it was such a memorable moment for you–sharing the beach with such a creature.