I may seem to be close, but I was at a most respectful distance. None of the seals, mothers & pups, were harassed nor disturbed. As a matter of fact, they did not even seem to care we were there. Also, Harbor Seals are all but endangered. Still these are females & pups - so their wish for a respectful distance was observed. They could not have cared less we were there - along with about another 100 or so people photographing them. Granted I had the largest lens.