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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 20, 2010 20:13:36 GMT
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 20, 2010 20:20:12 GMT
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 20, 2010 20:23:19 GMT
This one had just been born...  with mama  Cooee....  The noise was amazing...the babies make a 'OOOOOH' noise that's quite strange...a lovely day. |
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Post by Jazz on Nov 20, 2010 21:59:06 GMT
Fantastic, cheery! Who could resist the pups...  Were you actually this close to them or did you use a long lens? |
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 21, 2010 4:07:41 GMT
Cheery! This is maybe THE coolest thing I've ever seen! Those are just the most amazing pictures. How do the seals react to human beings? You must have been fairly close, right?
Their coats are such perfect camouflage for the beach and grass, which really gives them no hiding places.
How can you tell the pup was newly born -- by the coat color? TOO precious! Really, all of the photos were "awww" pictures, in the best possible way.
That third fight scene picture looks like something from a dinosaur panorama, with the smaller wet seal coming in to to attack the big one.
Thank you so much for showing these. It was a real treat -- heck, a privilege to feel this close to wild animals.
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Post by onlymark on Nov 21, 2010 6:18:44 GMT
I'll post in minute. I'm just looking for my club...............
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2010 6:27:05 GMT
Some of the best photos ever, cheery. It really does appear that you got up quite close. Are the seals used to (harmless) humans in that area?
The mothers must really gorge themselves before giving birth and nursing the pups. I bet they are not that plump when they go back to the sea.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 21, 2010 7:48:54 GMT
The seals are on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence, during the day there are all sorts of noises going on as jets and helecopters (I don't know my military aircraft) roar about...the only concession the RAF make being that they don't actively bomb the area whilst the seas are there (it's used for training) The seals are totally unphased by the noises or the humans...all that is between the visitors and the beach are two waist high wooden fences with a small gap between them. There are wardens patrolling the area to answer questions and to monitor the seals. Visitors are discouraged from going down onto the beach, but it isn't against the law. If you come anywhere between a mother and her baby the chances are that you will be attacked and some of the cows weigh over 60 stone....  (and they have TEETH) Other than that the seals take no notice at all of the visitors...as long as we don't touch either them or the pups we are OK. We were there at sunrise before other people arrived (always been a morning person me) but when we left much later there were quite a few there...these people are clustered around a particularly cute baby...   all the animals are free to move away from where the public area as the beach and dunes are huge... and when the tide comes in there is stilll plenty of room well away from where the public walk. K2...one of the guides told me that the mothers lose about 7 or 8 stone in weight whilst they're suckling their babies, because once they've given birth they don't feed aagain until their babies have weaned... Onlymark!..... .bad onlymark... |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 21, 2010 7:52:01 GMT
Oh and Bixa...the newborn pups where a yellowy white (ew) and I could see the unbilical cord still attached (and the placenta) look away if you are eating your dinner ;D  |
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Post by onlymark on Nov 21, 2010 8:01:36 GMT
Cheery, was there a smell from them?
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Post by tod2 on Nov 21, 2010 13:00:03 GMT
Wonderful photos Cheery! Thank you so much for those 'awww' pics - can't have enough of those  They look safe and so content - no naughty OnlyMark's nearby......... You would think darting them, if they must kill the poor little soul, would have come into force years ago  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 21, 2010 14:59:47 GMT
In feeble defense of Mark ........... How many women here, when reading the title of the thread on the main page, thought "Oh ~~ Cheery's buying a lovely coat with a designer label!" ? Raise your hand if you're guilty.  |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 21, 2010 15:41:55 GMT
In feeble defense of Mark ........... How many women here, when reading the title of the thread on the main page, thought "Oh ~~ Cheery's buying a lovely coat with a designer label!" ? Raise your hand if you're guilty. OMG I would NEVER wear real fur....ever ever ever....  The fur looks sooo much better on it's owner than on a hooman bean. |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 21, 2010 15:42:48 GMT
They didn't pong Mark....there was just the usual seasidey smell....
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Post by onlymark on Nov 21, 2010 16:12:46 GMT
Two things -
First, as regards the smell the only seal colony I've seen is in Namibia. There were thousands of them and it stunk rotten. That's all why I ask.
Secondly, I'd wear fur for practical reasons but not for fashion.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 21, 2010 16:16:26 GMT
Fear not, Cheery ~~ we know you're not That Kind of Girl!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 21, 2010 17:21:30 GMT
I do wear sheepskin and leather...so I'm a fine one to talk |
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Post by myrt on Nov 24, 2010 8:39:58 GMT
Really fabby pics Cheery! What a treat (and privilege) to be able to get so close to wild animals where they are safe and comfortable with the presence of people. Aren't they beautiful?? I went on a boat trip once to see them off the Norfolk coast (just down from the Lincolnshire coast) on the shingle mudbanks where they live and breed and the noise was amazing! It would never even occur to me to imagine fur coats when I see these animals.......  |
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Post by myrt on Nov 24, 2010 8:42:56 GMT
I'll post in minute. I'm just looking for my club............... If I had a dart gun I'd use it on the hunters...........  |
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Post by onlymark on Nov 24, 2010 9:56:37 GMT
An eye for an eye Myrt - club them as well.
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Post by myrt on Nov 24, 2010 14:26:22 GMT
I don't think I'm tall enough unfortunately......always been vertically challenged, me.....I could carry a box I suppose.... ;D
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(and they have TEETH) Other than that the seals take no notice at all of the visitors...as long as we don't touch either them or the pups we are OK.
The fur looks sooo much better on it's owner than on a hooman bean.
