Robert posted the pics on the town’s community Facebook page and said: “I truly believe these are the best seal pics I’ve taken of Sammy, Pebbles and the Dad with the biggest fish I’ve ever seen, all over the past two days…
“I believe the seals have done more for tourism than anything else this year, long may it continue.”
Hundreds commented on the “stunning” and “magnificent” shots, with one poster saying: “After all the bad news in the world, these photos cheer us up.”
Another added: “Fabulous, what a wonderful full larder these creatures have, and your photos allow us to be part of this everyday story. Thank you.”
“Show time” is best at Wye Bridge at low tide, says Robert, who revealed that Sammy’s favourites are “salmon, mullet and rad”.
Some posted concerns that the seals were hitting fish stocks, with fishermen and netters on the Wye and Severn estuary in Wales currently banned from keeping any salmon they catch.
But Robert replied: “The seals are part of the balance of nature; man has over-fished the rivers, not seals.”