The Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve is the favorite resting place of the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) on the island of Oahu. When I visit this field to work with the Laysan albatross, I always check the shore to look for resting monk seals. Occasionally, I was lucky enough to photograph these endangered mammals. I’ve already taken some pictures of monk seals both in the water and on the beach, furthermore, once I was fortunate to create a photo of a juvenile Hawaiian monk seal as well. Last time, when I went to Kaena Point to count the nests of the albatrosses, I saw three basking monk seals on the beach and one of them was in a really nice location, where I was able to photograph him in beautiful golden light just before sunset, with a pleasant blurry background using my long telephoto lens. I took some lovely images of this sleeping monk seal when a big wave splashed on his back. He seemed to enjoy the cold water and decided to turn around and run into the ocean. At this moment I could take some dynamic portraits of him. Here’s my favorite one.

Gear: Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm F/4 lens, Canon 1.4x extender, Manfrotto tripod