National Geographic Photographer Faces Off with Giant Leopard Seal

Imagine you’re on a photo excursion in Antarctica and you come face to face with a giant Leopard seal only to have it open its powerful jaws and grab your camera and head between it’s teeth. Sounds pretty scary considering the massive seal is one of Antarctica’s biggest predators. Listen to National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen as he shares the story of his encounter with one of the beasts on a recent expedition to Antarctica in the following clip. You may be surprised at how the story unfolds. Take a look:

Being adopted by a fierce predator is almost like a dream come true to a National Geographic photographer—a surprise dream the photographer hadn’t even realized as a potential outcome when he zipped up his wetsuit and dove into the icy the water.

wildlife photographyunderwater photography

“I think she thought my camera was my mouth which is every photographers dream. It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had as a National Geographic photographer.”

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6 responses to “National Geographic Photographer Faces Off with Giant Leopard Seal”

  1. Marlowe says:

    I think it is absolutely amazing that you have had the opportunity to be close to such an animal. To have a potentially dangerous (though also adorable) animal take you under her wing and try to feed you is very sweet. I hope you eventually took one of her penguins!
    Thanks for sharing this.

  2. Deb Welch Buchanan says:

    You are so blessed to travel with National Geographic! Your story and video inspires many of us to seek out adventures! Nature is a beautiful thing!

  3. mary says:

    Works just fine on my Surface.

  4. John Pecan says:

    the video does nothing

  5. Michael Ann Robinson says:

    The video is not working!

    • TimR says:

      Hey Micheal Robinson and any others who cannot play the seal video, go to youtube and type ‘ Face-Off With a Deadly Predator ‘ in the search and play the video from there..

      cheers,
      TimR

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