LUNDY DIVER
SEALED WITH A KISS
Lundy in the Bristol Channel has a lot going for it, not least playful grey seals and much underwater colour. JO CAIRD paid the island a visit in July with STEVE PRETTY, who took the pictures and managed to keep his housing intact
Kiss from a seal.
THE SEALS MUST have got the memo that there would be divers here today. We’ve been in the water fewer than five minutes when the first one approaches, circling before coming in for a closer look at Steve’s camera.
I’m fully expecting our new friend to dart away any moment now. Except, that’s not what happens.
The seal sticks around, practically lying across Steve’s lap as it explores his camera housing with its open jaws.
It seems to be interested in its own reflection in the glass dome and I’m momentarily concerned that it’ll be aggressive towards what it thinks is another seal – those are pretty big teeth and they’re pretty close to Steve’s face.
Fortunately, my fears are unfounded. After a few minutes ’ gentle investigation, the seal takes its leave, spinning away through the water as Steve and I shake our heads in disbelief at this extraordinary encounter.
My only remaining worry is for the dome, which can’t have benefitted from the proximity of those gnashers. (It’s a relief to find, once we’re back on the boat, that somehow the housing has escaped this experience without a scratch.)
Most of us will be familiar with Lundy Island from hearing it mentioned as part of the BBC’s Shipping Forecast over the years. But there’s more to this patch of sea off the North Devon coast than squally showers and fog patches.