The best wildlife encounters often happen when you've finished shooting what you came for. After capturing Hvítserkur's dramatic sea stack in North Iceland, I noticed movement along the distant shoreline—harbor seals hauled out on the beach across the river. Little did I know that my observers would soon become the subjects.
The Approach of Mutual Curiosity
As we walked along the black volcanic sand, several seals slipped into the water. Rather than swimming away, their curiosity got the better of them. One by one, they approached, creating ripples across the otherwise calm surface. I crouched at the water's edge, camera ready, waiting.
This particular seal was bolder than the others. It swam directly toward me, stopping just meters away. Only its face broke the surface—those large, expressive eyes studying me with the same intensity I was studying it. In wildlife photography, these moments of connection are rare gifts.
Capturing the Minimalist Portrait
From a technical standpoint, this image presented several challenges. The late afternoon light created beautiful blue tones in the water, but maintaining focus on the seal's eyes as it bobbed in the gentle current required precise timing. I shot with my 400mm lens, aperture set to f/6.3 to ensure the eyes remained sharp while allowing the water to create a soft, contextual frame.
The composition deliberately emphasizes negative space—the expanse of blue water occupies most of the frame, making the seal's emerging face more impactful. This minimalist approach draws viewers directly to those curious eyes, creating an intimate portrait that feels like a private conversation.
The Ethical Wildlife Encounter
What makes this image special to me isn't just the composition, but the circumstances of our meeting. Harbor seals approached voluntarily, curious about these strange two-legged creatures on their shoreline. I maintained a respectful distance, letting them set the terms of our encounter.
Iceland's marine mammals face various conservation challenges, yet moments like these remind us of their remarkable intelligence and the complex awareness behind those eyes. When a wild animal chooses to study you with such obvious interest, it transforms a simple wildlife sighting into something far more meaningful.
Between Water and Air
Harbor seals exist between two worlds—equally at home in water and on land. This image captures that liminal space, with just enough of the seal visible to connect with while the rest remains hidden beneath the surface.
Have you experienced a memorable wildlife encounter where the animal seemed just as interested in you? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments. And if you're planning a trip to Iceland, keep your eyes peeled along the shorelines of the north coast—these curious observers might just be watching you too.
