donna nook
Donna Nook – Pro’s back down!
It’s no coincidence that those photographers who had planned on taking groups to photograph the seals at DN have backed down and this is in no small part to the stirling work of photographer, Peter Moonlight who brought this problem to light to the masses via his brilliantly written piece in Outdoor Photography last year. There needs to be more photographers like him who pursue something they care about and are prepared to name and shame since surely the best way of regulating (I hate to use that word but can think of no suitable other) wildlife photographers (and I say that loosely for some) is by self-policing. To see reaction to this and to read well constructed comments by leading pro’s, visit Niall Benvie’s blog here.
Donna Nook Statement
It’s getting to that time of year again when hordes of photographers descend upon a certain seal colony in Lincolnshire. A statement has been released (which makes for pretty convincing reading) linking it’s rise in popularity with an increase in pup mortality. And, going from many first-hand witness accounts, I can well believe it! You can read it on Terry Whittaker’s Blog here.
Grey seal, photographed at Donna Nook almost 20 years ago.
In an older blog post here I talked about how I was pretty much the only person there throughout my stay. I haven’t been back since and, quite frankly, I have no intention in doing so since it would only ruin a perfect memory.
So, how do we stop groups of photographers flouting the LWT’s request to stay behind the fence? Simple, don’t attend group workshops organised and led by those who will. In other words, all photographers that advertise seal photography workshops here since it is HIGHLY unlikely that, given the money that has been exchanged, that they would remain behind the fence as opposed to trudging off across the beach. I would personally like to see permit-only access where, each year, a lottery based permit system is drawn up where, for a fee, a certain amount of photographers/public are permitted to walk across the beach to the main seal colony. The money could then be put into the LWT’s pot. This would be beneficial to all concerned, not least the seals!
Seals at Donna Nook
Those of you that have been following this blog for a while (and I thank you for that) may recall a series of images I took last autumn of a grey seal colony in Norfolk and my thoughts on the growing problem of photographers at Donna Nook. Well, it’s almost that time of year again when hundreds, nay thousands of photographers descend on the colony at Donna Nook to get pretty much the same images as thousands before them.
Taken at Donna Nook back in 1992. Nikon F3, 500mm f4P, Kodachrome 64.
In my entry close to 10 months ago, I told how I visited DN (for the first and last time) back in 1992 when hardly anyone, pro’s and amateurs alike, knew it even existed. Indeed, it was only because I had an interest in these creatures and through snail-mail communication to wardens and the like, that I eventually spent 3 days there. And guess what? I was the only one with a telephoto lens! I saw 3 others all day with point and push cameras who were locals and just enjoying the experience. So why am I rattling on about it again? In the latest (October) edition of Outdoor Photography, Peter Moonlight writes a very interesting piece on the impact on seal pups that the photographer’s are making. It’s a sobering thought many who consider themselves nature photographers would put a picture before the well being of the animal. I accept that the draw to be close to and photograph wild animals is strong but perhaps more willpower should now be exercised if we are to let this colony thrive. What the answer is I do not know. Close off the beach completely? Can’t see that working. Have small groups led across the beach by a warden….for a fee? For photographer’s to stop leading groups for profit to the beach colony? These seem to be growing as each year passes. One thing is for certain. This debate is sure to continue for some years to come.
Norfolk colony, taken last year.
If anyone has any thoughts on this issue, I would welcome your comments.
About Robert Canis
Robert Canis is a professional photographer specialising in the natural world.
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