Pic of the Day

    Harbor Seal – Machias Seal Island; Cutler Maine:  In earlier post I have shown photos of the seabirds taken on Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine. On my last trip to Machias seal the captain took the boat by an adjacent rock where harbor and gray seals haul out.  The light was terrible and the seals were just lounging on the rocks.  They were not very interesting, however, regardless of the light and lack of activity among the seals I shot lots of photos.   As the boat skirted the island I found this harbor seal bobbing in the water just off the island.  As the boat passed, the seal turned its head toward me and looked straight at me.  The simplicity of the image and eye contact made the scene very appealing, providing a image I was happy to capture.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 VRIF, ISO 200, 1/3,200 @ f 4.5, Handheld

Pic of the Day

     Harbor Seal – Pacific Coast Highway, California: “You must drive the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s the most beautiful stretch of highway in America,” said a friend. I did drive the Pacific Coast Highway, but I cannot vouch that it is the most beautiful stretch of highway in America. The reason, I was there in June when the cold Pacific air blows ashore and mixes with the warm overland air, resulting in fog, lots of dense fog. The locals call it “June Gloom”. I saw very little of the scenery but was surprised as I came out of the hills and found Harbor Seals along the coast. This seal was among a group of about a dozen animals loafing along the shoreline. The seals were spending their time sleeping, and occasionally looking at me as I shot images. As I tripped the shutter this seal looked my way giving me the opportunity for this environmental portrait. The occasion to photograph Harbor Seals made the drive down the highway worth the trip. I plan to return to the Pacific Coast Highway to see, “the most beautiful stretch of highway in America” some day, but not during June Gloom.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm, f4