Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Seals

As we arrive back to the Firth of Cromarty we take a break and in doing so spot these Common Seals. They are always a delight to see and watch and no doubt they are keeping an eye on us too even though I am some distance away. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Also called the 'harbour seal' . Seen near the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre. See PiP

Another view of the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish, this time with a closer look at the seals too.. See PiP

As Ukraine is hammered relentlessly by bigger and bigger bombs we try to relax here for a while watching the seals. We are making a walk along the shores to a place full of rocks and boulders pounded by the Atlantic. The building in front of us is actually the ‘Marine Environmental Research Laboratory’ run by the Institute of Agriculture, University of Stirling. To the right is the Machrihanish Seabird/Wildlife Observatory and it is from that we see the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine proudly flying high with our support. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety. ps the seals are on the rocks in the foreground plus the white baby seal.

Here on Arran just out from the village of Kildonan on Arrans South East coast is a rocky shoreline that is home to these common seals. I took this just as the tide was rising yet further forcing these seals to go swimming.

In October I posted a photo of the famous Godrevy Lighthouse in Cornwall (see pip) where I mentioned we had seen grey seals around the rocks too. Here then you see a collage of just three of the photos that I snapped there. The bottom two, showing the same mother and her pup. I was very pleased to catch the one with the pup suckling its mother, which I think is quite rare to see. The tide was out as I took these from a high cliff vantage point some way from the seals, and I imagine it would have been quite a different picture with the sea being in. Enjoy full screen.