There has been some discussion on the seals @ Donna Nook and photographing them.

I'm going to drive up again next week - if anyone would like to come along.

Obviously it will be a working day which coul dbe problematic for some.

Is it a good time of year for seeing the seals at Donna Nook?

I'd never heard of Doona Nook, but I did a little Google and I am interested, depending on the day. During week not a problem in itself, just depends on other deadlines to meet.
Seems like a lot of walking involved in potentially freezing weather, so not for the casual shooter.
A lot of handy info here.
http://www.wildsight.co.uk/articles/donna-nook.html

The easiest option is to follow the footpath and fenced off area. Not as spectacular as crawling through the mud and slime - but it has potential.

Is it a good time of year for seeing the seals at Donna Nook?
This is the update in numbers
Monday 1 December
330 bulls, 990 cows, 1216 pups.
It is a short walk,and it is usually cold and windy.
There is a food van in the car park.There are no toilets unless you go to the alternate car park but you have to pay £1.
It does get busy.
http://lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php#360

In the article I linked above about photographing the seals, it says it's a 40min walk to get to the good spot. Which I guess isn't the fenced off bit near car park.

What day would you be going - I would be interested in tagging along if that was ok.

Probably Tuesday or Wednesday - weather dependent. Leaving about 8.30. Need to be back in Sheffield for 3 so leaving there around 1.30.
Gives around 4 hours on site.

BBC show sunshine on Tuesday. I can pick people up ,no problemo

Could make any day but Tuesday :(

5 day forecast doesn't show any other day yet.

In the article I linked above about photographing the seals, it says it's a 40min walk to get to the good spot. Which I guess isn't the fenced off bit near car park.
It probably depends where you come from,if you come from Cleethorpes side the first signpost to Donna Nook takes you to the main viewing area.This is the way I always go from Sheffield and for a change go back via Louth and Rotherham.

I've just got back - low sun behind did cause some shadowing on the close pups. But nice and bright - defo going again ,Wednesday is forecast to be bright.

It probably depends where you come from,if you come from Cleethorpes side the first signpost to Donna Nook takes you to the main viewing area.This is the way I always go from Sheffield and for a change go back via Louth and Rotherham.
I think that this photographer did same but then walked on past main viewing area out to a more remote location.

So, are you definately going Wednesday then Willman? I would love to come with you if you are, but don't go just for me:D

Thats sorted then Wednesday it is.
I've got to be in Nottingham Tuesday anyway now.

Great! I'll pm you my details so we can arrange the trip - I'm looking forward to it!

Departing Wednesday 9.am ish. Returning home for about 3pm.
It was cold enough to freeze the sand dunes solid on Sunday btw.
If anyone else wants to join us - just for the experience or with a camera just let me know.

I've decided to take OH there later this week as she has some days off work and I thought I'd make her suffer horribly by making her walk for ages on frozen sand in a howling gale. :D
So which part did you go to, as there are various places to view the critters?

http://lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/15/reserve.jpg

The photographer I linked above recommended walking out past Stonebridge out onto the sand/mudflats for the best photo location.

"Most visitors come to see the creamy-white seal pups born among sand dunes close to the [Stonebridge] car park. This birthing area is fenced off with no public access and is monitored by a warden. This is fine for viewers but offers limited scope for photographers. In order to make the most of photographing grey seals at Donna Nook you need to trek out to sandbanks about one and a half kilometres away."

What are your your thoughts?

.

I'm idle and head to North Somercotes - it's signposted,which i think is the Stonebridge car park.. There's a "footpath" and the babys do nestle against the fencing, which can be a pain for some photos but also good for closeups. You can then go off the beaten track - the only beneift is that there are wardens to have a chat with and burger van at the weekends.

Just returned 1087 pups - this years pupping has been the highest to date 1200plus.
They are already making their way back to the sea,so be quick.
Hopefully my companion for the day will be able to upload some photos.

Wow! That was sooooo good! Thank you so much to Willman for taking me! I have taken lots of photos, but with quivvering hands as it was so cold. Here is a link to my photos - comments appreciated as animal photography is not my thing. Hope you like them! (& yes, we were that close to them. I was so close, one even touhed my lens with its nose!!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3098296344/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3097454001/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3097449805/


Hope these work

Great photos Willman - love the last one! Its very 'crisp'. You seem to be a good animal photographer - you'll have to teach me a thing or two - it's something I've never really been any good at.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3098296344/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3097454001/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3097449805/


Hope these work

They are fantastic :thumbsup:

We had a great time - well i did. But it was flippin' freezin'.

I might try for another visit somewhere new next week - i'll have a think.

We had a great time - well i did. But it was flippin' freezin'.

I might try for another visit somewhere new next week - i'll have a think.

Count me in if you do:thumbsup:

We had a great time - well i did. But it was flippin' freezin'.

I might try for another visit somewhere new next week - i'll have a think.Some great pics there pal....Hopefully my camera should be here in the morning and I Can get snapping away...you cant beat wildlife photography

I think these are my favourite seal pics from the trip yesterday

http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278209826910965906
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278205494023809058
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278209055262627218
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278209109518051714
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278207752954298514
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithbeith/Seals#5278206645329664626

Not brilliant, but a first attempt at animal photography (apart from the odd horse or cow stood in a field!):D

Excellent pictures Beith.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3106995241/

just thought i'd add this one. This guy was completing bombing runs over the seal colony for about 30 minutes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21601711@N02/3106995241/

just thought i'd add this one. This guy was completing bombing runs over the seal colony for about 30 minutes.

Don't seem to be able to open this one Willman - says I need to be signed in. I've got a Flickr account, but can't remember my password:(

We went to Donna Nook on Friday and although the sand wasn't actually frozen, we soom were. But it was well worth it to see the seals.
Some photos...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/3109660201_ae73a28118.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/3110493022_dfb2a1f72d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/3109660573_5a03ec2bba.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3109660311_fe2e62b0ee.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3110493262_c460824ecd.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/3110493080_7c221daf68.jpg

Sharp claws for such a cute critter!

just thought i'd add this one. This guy was completing bombing runs over the seal colony for about 30 minutes.
Now that is quite impressive.
There was a fighter jet flying back and fore whilst we we there and just before we left, he did some horizontal loops above us, but compared to live ordnance it was a bit tame!