namibia Cape Gull

The Cape Cross Reserve on the west coast of Namibia is the home of oneof the largest colonies of Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephaluspusillus), also known as Brown Fur Seals, in the world. About80,000 to 100,000 seals live at Cape Cross - an impressive sight, andsmell.

Brown Fur Seals breed in mid-October. Pups are usually born betweenlate November and early December. The female spends the next severalmonths foraging at sea and nursing her pup, who is weaned at fourmonths old. The Cape Fur Seal's main predator is the Great whiteshark, but for the pups there are two other dangers: jackal and gulls.For the jackal the pups are easy fast food - they just walk into thechaos and grab one of the many pups. The Cape gulls are mostly lookingfor the afterbirth. I've also seen them trying to pick very young pupsto death - not a nice thing to watch.

I took this shot on last year's Namibia workshop, and I since use itto demonstrate that your main subject does not necessarily need to bethe largest element in the frame. Our eyes are drawn to brightelements in dark images and to dark elements in bright images. Eventhough the the seals are much larger and more numerous, your eyes tostraight to the gull - the main subject. Spot metered off the gull.

It's a pity this site does not feature smell-o-vision; you'd be impressed.

Nikon D3, AF-S 600/4.0, 1/2500 @ f/4.0, ISO 400, beanbag

[if you're interested in joining me on one of my workshops, pleasecheck out my website: squiver(dot)com.]

excellent marsell, very very good and original

Only observation is that I regret I can`t see this larger,best regards.

This is a wonderful photo as all the other photos in your portfolio. Thank you for sharing...

Great capture, Marsel ... wonderful shot !!. Regards.

Just great.Excellant eye. Couldn't be better. Ken E.

Great catch, really like the big contrast between the light and the dark :)

Very well seen!

Excellent shot.

wonderful

Not larger why?

Thanks for your comments - much appreciated.

As for the size of my postings; I have had some bad experiences with image theft in the past. Since then, I post my images at this size.

this is really outstanding! so elegant and beautiful and unique in the same way. over this, viewing your complete pf is a pleasure of its own too and i like to read about the story behind your images. all in one...master-class and hat's off!:-) kindest regards, bianka

Outstanding! One of your latest best!

This is incredible... I couldn't recall but I've seen the same image before... it could be in my dream too... Lovely....

This is absolutely amazing!  One of the best I have seen. 

 

Congrats

Wonderful image! Thank you for sharing both the image and the story behind it. Very well done photo. :)