Featured Image Credit: Alexey Trofimov
Photographer Alexey Trofimov was one lucky man, when, on an expedition around Lake Baikal in Siberia, he managed to capture some stunning (and stunningly CUTE) pictures of a Baikal seal pup!
He had gone out there with the intention of taking photos of seals, although he never expected the opportunity to get these kinds of results. “The photos were taken from different distances, I managed to get fairly close to the pups,” Trofimov shared, approaching them by foot to take some of the closer-ups.
He described the experience sharing that he was “happy to be able to capture such a rare picture; seals are very cautious and easily frightened, so it is difficult to photograph them… If a seal pup is not too scared, they will begin to become curious about you.”
Despite their nature, certainly seems like this little guy got very curious!
Coming right up to the photographer, just to strike a waving pose! And maybe to show off its fluffy white fur, and its (temporary) fearlessness.
We could imagine that photographing seals on ice, especially, as Trofimov achieved, can be challenging. With their naturally cautious personalities, a wide-open area with plenty of space for the pup to see you coming, and even more area for them to run away if they decide you’re a predator… that could be tricky.
Trofimov spends a few of months every year near Lake Baikal, photographing not only the wildlife, but the landscapes around the lake, and while his others are just as beautiful to look at, his photos of these curious little seal pups in particular have got our seal of approval!