I have visited Horsey a couple of times over the past few years and I find it to be one of my favourite seal viewing sites so far. Whenever I have visited in the past it has usually been during the middle of the day when the light is at its harshest so I promised myself this year I would go for a sunrise. I checked the times and worked out that I would have to leave the house at around 3.30am (the joys of wildlife photography) to get to Horsey at 6am, this would give me half an hour to get to where I need to be to before the sunrise at 7am. After checking the weather forecast it looked like Sunday morning was my best day. After an early start we arrived exactly on time. I set off from the carpark heading to the area I had previously photographed them. I had hoped that the seasonal restrictions would not be fully in place yet hoping that I could photograph the seals on the beach like previously. Walking past the first viewing area I headed up the track behind the dunes, roughly a 25 minute walk. When we arrived I realised the beach was closed off and I had just wasted 25 minutes and just as the light was beginning to look great. Although a little disappointed I totally understand that the Seals welfare is more important than my photographs, so I decided to head back down the track to the first viewing areas, this turned out to be a big mistake. The sun was now above the horizon and other than the odd head bobbing up and down in the water there were not a single seal to be seen on the beach. A quick glance through my binoculars I could see the seals were all up the end I had just come from, where there was no viewing areas.
Knowing now that the best light was now going to be gone, but I decided to set off anyway and see what I could find, I had driven all the way from Bedford after all. Frustratingly, just past where the beach was closed earlier on there was a set of steps I hadn't quite reached before. I must heave been stood just a couple of hundred metres from them earlier when the light was perfect and hadn't realised. I walked up to the viewing area and there was a group of seals on the beach in front of me. You have no idea how hard I could have kicked myself for turning back earlier! Nevermind, finally I could get the camera out and enjoy taking some photos.
Although I was using a long lens, photographing the seals from the banks above really limits the composition options. Shooting down onto a subject is never ideal. Next time I go I will probably go out of pupping season so I can have more freedom to be on the beach and get on the same level as the seals whilst obviously still keeping a safe distance. Hopefully next time I shall also be a little wiser and I will actually get those lovely sunrise shots I had hoped for today.
It must be said that no matter what, it is always an absolute pleasure to be in the company of the Seals at Horsey.
