“Ordinary” Depends on Your Home Address
Sparkling water, crashing waves, a resolute sun… and harbor seals.
Native wildlife often grows commonplace to those who live in the same neighborhood. Ohio’s ubiquitous groundhogs and cardinals fascinated a Scottish marathoner I ran with several years ago.
As we ran through frozen Highbanks Metro Park that winter afternoon, I pointed out familiar creatures that he’d never seen before. His enthusiastic curiosity reminded me of the thrills and leaps of my own heart at first sight of something, or somewhere, yet unexplored.
Harbor seals may be as ordinary to coastal Californians as Canada Geese and groundhogs are to residents of our Great Lakes region, but to the traveler who knows she won’t see them tomorrow, they become a notable image to carry home.
These animals are so sweet and cute!!
Those guys are so cute. So you ran with a marathoner? I ran with a triathelete… Boy did that hurt! Anyway, I love the crispness of your photos. What kind of camera are you using? An SLR?
great experience !
I have had on the same in the past and I am looking forward for a new one
Once again you captured some wonderful moments and cute seals
Very cute reminds me of NZ. Seals and pups are on most rocky coastlines, basking themselves in the sun.
Great point Heather and nice shots. You lead an interesting life.
I often think about that. I see tourists here in New Zealand who love our country and list its virtues but to us it is just home and we often take it for granted.
By the way, Cate, I think you may have been down south of the South Island of New Zealand because I am yet to see a seal basking in the sun in the North Island, though there may be some secluded spots where they arrive from the south, maybe in summer but we are really too far north for them in most of New Zealand. I envy you seeing them though.
Travel Freack: I thought so too!
Intrepid: It was a training run for him, and I only did four of his twelve miles that afternoon. The time commitment for a marathon/triathlon is so huge, but there are obvious results, huh?!
As for the camera, I’m using a Nikon D80 and some really great lenses. The seal shots were fairly difficult (there was a tall fence I had to angle over and I’m 5’4″ with perfect posture!). I used my favorite 70 – 300mm lenss (with VR) for those.
Thanks Demetrios!
Patrick: Thanks! A seal is a much easier subject than one of your energetic rescue dogs! They seemed pretty content to soak in the sun that afternoon.
Cate: New Zealand is simply intriguing. Hopefully, you’ll get back home for a while before your big move?
Brian: Thank you. I certainly enjoy the opportunities my life gives me.
Suzanne: New Zealand always sounds like some crazy kind of heaven on Earth to me. Either you have far more than your share of outstanding travel photographers, or your country is a remarkable and worthy destination. I’m thinking it’s the latter and plan to check it out for myself!
I’m having some serious camera envy…. And huge lense inadequacy issues.
But I so love your photos! 
Please bear with me.
I always remember visiting someone who lived in a rural area overlooking a beautiful valley. In the late afternoons, the sunsets glowed remarkable shades of oranges and reds. He seemed most unimpressed – he said after a while, all sunsets start to look the same and you stop looking. Maybe this is the same thing with local fauna however interesting they may be to other people.
Locals must take for granted all the great things that are there.
Super post, Heather, with lovely photos!!! A visit here always has me smiling because you are a beautiful person.
Hugs, JJ
Intrepid: Ha! Well… I have travel envy of your trips to Asia, Australia and the like (hoping to get back to Hawaii this year and avoid envying your recent trip there!). ~Glad you enjoy the photos.
Mark: -Sounds like we have to keep traveling to keep appreciating! I wonder if it’s a matter of plugging into the more relaxed, open version of ourselves? I can definitely appreciate the scenery I encounter regularly, but not so easily if I’m worrying about when I’m going to get to the grocery…
Graham: Central Ohio is a great place to live (minus “February”). I’m surprised, though, by how many people never take the time to enjoy our parks and waterways. However I must admit that I barely blink for groundhogs and geese!
JJ: Thank you! Now, I’m smiling too!!