Mother & Child

A mother seal gently nudges her pup in the waters of Departure Bay. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300 at 300mm f/13 1/200 ISO 100

I went out into Departure Bay to get some good images of seals. From my kayak I saw them sunning themselves on the shore. We stayed back quite a ways but many of them were quite curious animals and a seal pup popped up quite close to my kayak. I noticed this and as I pulled up my camera to get a photo the mother popped up right beside and gave the pup a little nudge. It was a great moment that dramatically improved the image I got. The long telephoto, 300mm on a crop sensor camera really brings the image in, gave me a lot of detail and I cropped it in a little tighter when I got home. Photos of wild animals are always interesting but finding a way to tell a story with the image or reveal a behaviour makes them more dynamic and compelling.

-Russell Berg

Mama, No!

A mother seal rejects her pup’s attempts to feed. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm at 300mm f/5.6 1/800 ISO 100

My daughter and I went kayaking out in Departure Bay this morning and we visited the Harbour Seals that live on an island out in the bay.  We drifted in nice and slow and didn’t get too close so that they wouldn’t all go in the water.  My 70-300 showed it’s worth as it pulled the seals in nice and close and I was still able crop the image down to get even closer and still have lots of resolution to have a crisp image.  This little pup was moving in to try and feed from it’s mother but she was having none of that and whacked him on the nose with her flipper.  It was a beautiful moment and it was a privilege to be able to see it.  I love the texture of the fur and rolls on the pup’s neck as he tries to dodge his mom’s flipper.

-Russell Berg

Almost Home

A mother and daughter in the walkway to the ferry at Horseshoe Bay, BC EOS Rebel XSi, EFS 50mm 1.4 at f/1.4, 1/60, ISO 320

My wife and I were travelling back to the island on the ferry and as we were heading to the boat we came upon a mother and daughter as they approached the boat too.  I saw them heading down the long walkway and I love the way that the lights and the hallway curled away.  I was reaching for my camera as the little girl started to run, I quickly pulled it up pushed the lens wide open and got off one quick shot.  The sense of isolation is quite strong and I feel that the photo captures the loneliness of those late night ferry rides when you want to get back to those you love but have to wait 2 more hours.

-Russell Berg