A week-old Hawaiian monk seal pup rests on its mother at a busy Waikīkī beach – and this photographer captured the rare moment without disturbing them

In a delicate moment captured by wildlife photographer Leighton Lum, a young Hawaiian monk seal pup named Kaiwi rested its head on its exhausted mother at the bustling Waikīkī beach. Lum maintained a respectful distance, utilizing a 500mm telephoto lens paired with a 1.4x extender for a total reach of 700mm, while employing one of Canon's top-tier stills cameras.

This particular scene marks the sixth Hawaiian monk seal birth ever witnessed at this highly frequented tourist destination. Lum's dedication to photography spans nearly a decade, focusing on raising awareness through his images. Notably, his photograph of the mother seal and her pup was chosen as a finalist in the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards under the Conservation (Hope) category.

The Canon EOS R5, a marvel in still photography, played a pivotal role in capturing this heartwarming event. Lum elaborates on the unique circumstances surrounding Kaiwi's upbringing, noting that she nurses her pups for approximately six weeks without feeding, leading to significant weight loss. This year, despite the beach's heavy tourist traffic, Kaiwi successfully raised her pup, a feat aided by conservation teams and volunteers who employ barriers and round-the-clock patrols to protect both the seals and visitors.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain, will reveal its winners in September.