The Full Nelson
Perhaps my title is a little off because "full nelson" is an illegal move in amateur wrestling. It is a secure hold using the arms and is used to control the opponent. Doesn't it look like this guy is smiling? Perhaps the momma here was just tired enough to hold her mate (perhaps?) and keep him safe while she had a snooze in the sunshine. Whatever the connection, it is always fun to watch the sea lions bask in the sun. This image was one of hundreds captured while at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Such a noisy bunch of marine mammals. I don't know how any of them could sleep!
Have you ever seen a sea lion or seal, and wondered which animal it was? I have. So a little research tells me that seals' furry, generally stubby front feet are thinly webbed flippers, actually, with a claw on each small toe compared to the mostly skin-covered, elongated fore flippers of the sea lion.
Also, sea lions have small flaps for outer ears. Seals lack external ears altogether. You have to get very close to see the tiny holes on the sides of a seal’s sleek head.
Sea lions are noisy! Seals use soft grunting sounds. And while both species are comfortable in and out of water, the seals are better adapted to live in the water than on land. Sea lions tend to congregate on land more than the elusive seals.
"The Full Nelson" - Accepted Image, 2020 PPOC-BC Image Salon
So what makes an Accepted print? According to Professional Photographers of Canada website:
~~ About Image Salon: Submitted images are judged by a group of very highly qualified, trained judges, all of whom have already achieved their PPOC Craftsman of Photographic Arts or Master of Photographic Arts designation. They have completed a PPOC Judging Clinic to prepare them for the process of objectively judging the images without any personal bias. This is not an easy task and PPOC is constantly striving to nurture and develop a strong group of qualified members to take on this difficult and taxing responsibility.
From those submitted images deemed worthy of inclusion in the final Salon, there are tiered levels of acceptance. The first level is simply known as "Accepted" and denotes that the image is of a high enough level to warrant being displayed in a prestigious national display of photography by the members of PPOC. The next level is known as "Merit" and indicates a clear step above the first level of Accepted. The highest level is known as "Excellence", which really says it all. Excellence images are a very small and elite group of images that have risen to the top. These are simply remarkable images. ~~
Terrill Bodner, MPA is an Accredited member of Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) and nationally qualified judge, and is one of a very few professional photographers living in Prince George who have achieved the designation of Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada.
Terrill specializes in Family Portraiture, Personal Branding and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.
Her Accreditations include Portraiture, Fine Art/Photo Decor, Animals, Wildlife, Nature, Ornithology/Bird, Botanical, Pictorial/Scenic, Travel Illustration, Stock, and Night Photography.
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