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15 February 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200.

I like this type of composition; just a seal laid out, with a gull keeping watch.

16 March 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/400sec @ f5.6, ISO 640.

Another seal, this time a bit closer, with its features now more visible.

The next photos show seals in a variety of amusing poses, the epitome of relaxation. They sometimes lay upside down, just like a dog, making the Dutch word for them all the more apt!

11 May 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8, 1/640sec @ f/2.8, ISO 125.

11 May 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/500sec @ f6.8, ISO 500.

11 May 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/500sec @ f/14, ISO 2000.

30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/640sec @ f/8, exposure compensation -0.6 stop, ISO 500.

Not Seal Sands this time; I photographed this one from Bempton Cliffs, which is located around 15 miles south of Scarborough. I’d guess this seal was a mile away.

20 April 1997, Minolta 9000, Sigma 400mm f/5.6 apo, 1/80sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

One of my older photos, taken in late-90s. I wonder if this guy is looking at me expecting me to provide some fish!

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Seals

A fantastic place to see seals in Teesside is Seal Sands, located in the mouth of the River Tees between Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. There, you can more often than not catch sight of any number of them. From an ecological standpoint, it is a phenomenal success story, as the area had been heavily polluted with industry; now it seems that nature and industry lives side by side. The Hartlepool nuclear power station sits around three miles away.

The Dutch word for seal is ‘zeehond’ which literally translated is ‘sea dog’, which is quite apt. They do look like dogs, albeit without fur and legs. I prefer this over the idea that they look like giant slugs, anyway!