Leopard Seals

Bartosz Strozynski · Issue 67, Jul/Aug 2012 · pp. 42–45

Products mentioned: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Canon EF14mm f/2.8L II USM, Seacam housing, Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Probably the most spectacular Antarctic subject for wildlife photographers is the leopard seal. Antarctica and surrounding waters is the only place in the world where this mammal can be encountered. It is called a leopard seal due its characteristic spots on skin, but after spending some time with the animal, I found it to be more similar to a big dog than to a leopard. There are a great number of leopard seals around Antarctica waters and you may often see them sleeping on small icebergs. They seem to be very lazy and uninterested in jumping into the water to help us in our photographic endeavours but as soon as they get in, they transform into extremely fast moving and, at first sight, scary monsters. With a bit of luck though, you can meet the leopard seal while diving and play with them, making spectacular pictures and recognising that, in reality, although really wild, it is a very …