Sail Away (PowerUp 100%)

The largest seal colony in England is at Blakeney Point in Norfolk. It is an ideal spot to encounter common and grey seals, in Great Britain where these charming animals enjoy swimming in the cold north European waters.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/400 Aperture: f/4.5

It takes an easy boat trip to get closer and admire these cute creatures and such experiences have been even featured on BBC Countryfile and Springwatch programmes. The meeting point is just past the National Trust Morston Quay car park and booking is advisable to avoid disappointment, as due to covid-19 precautionary measures boats are not allowed to carry their maximum passengers capacity. So, it just requires a phone call to one of the boat operators (prices from £20 per adult) to reserve a space onboard and then turn up half an hour before departure to pay on spot.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/800 Aperture: f/5.3

Grey seals usually bob in the waves while common seals, accompanied by their pups, are often seen lying on the sandy beach, waiting for their food to go down which is something we might wish we have the time to do after a substantial meal. Common seals are smaller mammals by size with shorter more concave forehead, head and V-shaped nostrils. They have a powerful body with relatively small short flippers and a large rounded head with big eyes. They come in different colours from blonde to black.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/800 Aperture: f/5.3

Common seals are the most widespread of all pinnipeds. Each seal has a unique hide pattern of fine dark brownish black to tan or grey spots. Common seals are non-migratory animals which spend their lives close to the shore in large groups. They spend the majority of the time in water and are capable of diving and, believe it or not, remain submerged for over half an hour.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 560
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/4.9

Females give birth to a pup in June or July each year. They breed in estuaries where the sandbanks are exposed for only part of the day. Their pups can swim and dive when they are just a few hours old.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/400 Aperture: f/4.5

Their mouth is full of tiny but sharp teeth. They feed on fish and squid with all species being taken. They may consume crab, lobster and even marine birds.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 640
Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/5

When the tide allows, you can even stretch legs on the stunning strip of beach and walk to the old Lifeboat House which is now an information centre owned by the National Trust.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 Aperture: f/4.9

If you feel more adventurous, opt for a paddle boarding trip out to the seal colony starting at Morston Quay.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/500 Aperture: f/4.3

Blakeney Point has been also famous for breeding terns for a century. They migrate to West Africa escaping the cold winter. The Sandwich tern is a white seabird with black crest on its head and a yellow tip to its fine black bill.

Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 Aperture: f/5.3

Day 20 of Diving Program by @bambuka.
This has been posted as a "50/50" but I commit myself to transfer SBD to SP to Power Up 100% based on the program's rules.