A Sea Lion

[Brownbear]

I've been trying to capture a photo of a sea lion for a few weeks, and until today I only ever managed to catch a speck of it's head in the ocean as they only surface for a few seconds.

Manual SS-1000 to 1600 A 4-6.7 (extender on) spot metering exposure bias +1 auto iso = 3200 on every single shot

Anyway, just sharing for fun as they are sure cute... I don't know if I have the correct WB as a google search for photos turned up an endless variety of sea lions and colours, hence my photos are different colours, too.

[Digital]

Christina, you did well. I would not worry so much over the WB.


Bruce

[Cantab]

Christina, a good set of shots. When I first saw the photos my immediate reaction was harbour seal, rather than sea lion -- but I didn't see these animals in the flesh. My favourite is probably the second one where he/she is looking straight into the camera.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Bruce(s)

Bruce, you're correct it is a harbour seal... I didn't think they were so large but I searched for harbour seal photos and this is definitely a seal. Thank you.

[Shadowman]

I captured a few of them this week also, they are either lying around not giving you a good angle or playfully fighting and moving too erratically. Nice captures.

[Brownbear]

Hi John,

So far I've only spotted these guys swimming in the ocean, and they only come up for air for a short spell.


Thank you.

[jamn4ex]

nice series Christina, I like 2 best cause hes looking right at me.

[nimitzbenedicto]

I like all of them!

[ btw, I've noticed you've expanded your wildlife/locations range: seals, bears, BIF, etc. Backed-up with a good cam, lens, photo-editing skills. Desire to learn, patience, open-mind. You must be quite young to have all that energy to go around even in cold weather to nail those shots?! Awesome. ]

[Brownbear]

Thank you James and Victor..

Yes, I am pretty sure the seal was looking right at me...It is the first time I've caught his/her attention. Maybe next time around I will fish off the dock and throw the fish I catch back in the water.

Victor, I'm not young but yes, I do have a lot of energy and determination.

[Shadowman]

Hi John,

So far I've only spotted these guys swimming in the ocean, and they only come up for air for a short spell.


Thank you.

You have to find out where they go to bask in the sun as it's setting, usually somewhere they are not wanted, like boat docks.

[RockNGoalStar]

Great shots. I prefer the first two as it appears that you are closer to eye level with the seals. I think that with wildlife photography it is important, where possible, to get as close to eye level with the subject as you can.

Have you tried using a polarizing filter to cut down on the glare of the water and the shine of the skin of the seals? Not sure whether it would add anything, it may even be worse... But just a thought...

Thanks for sharing

[Shadowman]

I read a piece on the difference between seals and sea lions, anyone care to take a shot at the differences?

[BCrose]

This is the only way I can explain the difference

Harbor Seal



Sea Lion Mom



And the Daddy

[Shadowman]

This is the only way I can explain the difference

Harbor Seal



Sea Lion Mom



And the Daddy

But there's so much more.

[Brownbear]

John
Thank you for the tip on finding them. I will explore the local shipyards and see if I can find a few... Especially inspired now that I've seen Monte's photos.

Tommy
Thank you. I photographed the seal from a dock, so although the seal was looking at me, eye level was impossible unless I went for a swim... But I am going to try and find some on some rocks.

Also thank you for the tip on the polarizing filter. I think I will invest in one because I've also been trying to photograph a cormorant in the water and it is proving to be very challenging, as the bird, like the seal is usually half covered in water and glare...

Monte,

Thank you for posting those magnificent photos... They provide me with a great reference for a seal (and inspiration for the type of shot I should be trying for) It looks like the seal is white, grey, brown and black?

And that Sea Lion image is especially magnificent!

[Rob Zijlstra]

Of the first set, #2 I like the best!
And of course I love Big Mamma!