Donna nook

[hammondsenior]

hi everyone. im hoping to be able to get a day near donna nook next weekend, and want to try to photograph the seal pups. anyone know if they are there yet? also, where would be the best place to go?

many thanks, craig

[matt wilson]

A friend has been on the east coast .They were starting last weekend .

http://www.lincstrust.org/reserves/n....php?mapref=15

tells you the numbers and yes they have started

[jinky]

A friend of mine visited too and got great shots but remarked that there were signs this year restricting access to hitherto usable areas. When she enquired why she was told that some photographers had been throwing sand at seal pups to make them open their eyes

I find it disgraceful that people going out of interest in wildlife can be so cruel and am sure that you and others visiting will observe restrictions and good protocol.

[hammondsenior]

i will, and perhaps throw some sand of my own at anyone i see annoying the pups.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by jinky

...some photographers had been throwing sand at seal pups to make them open their eyes...

That's @"$!($&! appalling behaviour!

[andreasphotography]

I photographer the seals every year at Donna Nook , I also work for a wildlife rescue center and TBH LWT are disgusted at what has been going on this year at Donna Nook

over 60 seal pups have been lost or abandoned the course is photographers
in experienced photographers going down to the lower beach and disturbing the seals, chasing off the cow whom will not return to her pup, herding pups to more photographic locations

these are wild animals for God sake, no one puts them there they dont have to stay there
notice are ignored,

along with LWT a letter will be sent to every photographic magazine and every news paper in September 2010,
if the situation does not improve then I am sorry but it looks like Donna Nook will become out of bounds during the grey seal breeding season

After the behavior witnessed at Donna Nook i felt ashamed to be a photographer

New to photographing wildlife Then please stay on the upper beach behind the fence

experienced at photographing wildlife
please wear dark warm clothing check the tide times as the sea comes up and around at the Nook and you WILL get stranded

approach seals with extreme caution DO NOT make loud sounds DO NOT TOUCH,
out on the lower beach use a zoom lens so you can be away from the seals lay down on your front do NOT walk past seals or near to the seals, DO NOT tempt them with food

NEVER approach a cow and pup NEVER approach a bull

seals warning,pup waving a flipper= GO AWAY
waving flipper in front of face = seriously means GO AWAY
Mama= where are you mum some nasty person is here

COW Waving a flipper = you are tread a thin line get back before there is trouble
waving flipper and oohhh= you are now to close
seal will then either attack or move away if she moves away and her pup does not follow she will abandon it

BULL, waving a flipper means Go away
raising up means you are likley to be seal fodder

Please respect these mammals they are not there for your entertainment, they are not there for you to get a good shot
I do not want to see people banned from the beach because a few people hurt the animals

[OldBoy]

That is very sad and a bad reflection on mankind. I photograph lots of birds and other animals in Sandwell Valley but I'd never do anything to disturb them if I can help it. I would rather use a longer lens than cause them distress and will move away if it does.

[WildPhotoTip5]

andreasphotography is right. I was at Donna Nook last weekend speaking to one of the wardens. He said mortality rates are up with the huge numbers of people going down there.

Ironically the stressful tactics employed by these few aren't going to result in good photos (not that it would be justified if they were). A patient and low angle approach will show a relaxed animal from its own eye level - a much nicer photo.

I avoid the busiest periods and go in January. You rarely see any white pups but its a better wildlife experience without the crowds.

Some pics and info from Donna Nook:
http://www.wildlife-photography-tips...onna-nook.html

[swan lover]

I find the behavior of the few at donna nook disgusting, I read that the rutting season for the wild deer have been disturbed ''by photographers after that winning shot'' time we disowned such photographers to protect ''our good name'' the miscreants should be named and shamed and if possible prosecuted for cruelty.