A bracing walk along the northern rocky coastline of Anglesey during October/November may just result in superb views of Grey Seal and their newly born pups.
We set off from Cemlyn Bay in cloudy conditions and strong coastal winds. It’s a superb stretch of the Anglesey coastal path with rugged dramatic coastline and farmland, the path is easy to follow with sublime views. There’s something special for me walking in blustery conditions – it hightens the senses.
Walking towards Carmel Head with the Skerries lighthouse on the horizon – kowa MFT 12mm f2.8
The Skerries Island and lighthouse is a dominant feature on the horizon as you walk as well as West Mouse with its beacon that acts as a navigation aid to ships and lines up with two other beacons at Carmel Head. As you approach Carmel Head these beacons become an ever more striking feature on the landscape and a sign that you are approaching your destination.
Photographing Grey Seal at Carmel Head
After what was actually only a couple of miles (but felt a lot further do to the driving winds) we arrived at Carmel Head with its many rocky outcrops and coves. Instantly on the shore we noticed the obvious white coat of a beautiful Grey Seal Pup.
In my kit bag I was carrying my Kowa Telephoto lens with the 350mm f4 adapter. Attaching my micro four thirds Olympus OMD EM-1 camera body with a 2x crop factor made the lens in to an ultra compact and bright 700mm f4 fluorite crystal lens! Simply stunning performance. the bright f4 aperture meant I was getting fast shutter speeds even in low light conditions and 700mm allowed me to keep a respectful distance between myself and the pups. I could still get detailed images without having to get close and disturb them – something I feel very strong about.
Grey Seal Pup – taken with Kowa Telephoto lens 350mm f4 (700mm on the Olympus OMD EM-1)
It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. As we walked back the weather really took hold, driving wind and rain all the way back to the car, but I didn’t mind one bit – it was so worth it.