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Fantastic photos and fun stories of the fearsome leopard seal, diving under the Antarctic ice for National Geographic…

How does he know if he’s in the right spot?
“I am cold. I am miserable. Big animals with large and sharp protruding parts are staring at me.”

Paul Nicklen’s TED talk just went online. Jump to minute 10:50 if you just want to hear the leopard seal story.

From a photography perspective, it was my favorite presentation this year. My shot above shows his reaction to the standing ovation that ensued.

I just love the inter-species interaction that ensued…

9 responses to “Paul Nicklen’s Polar Wonderland”

  1. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    These are examples of Paul’s photos in the talk (not clickable, presume copyright)
    if you want to pause a bit and let them sink in…
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 4.43.07 PM

    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 4.51.46 PM

    The Leopard Seals are BIG
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 4.56.59 PM

    Happy Feet, Interrupted…
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 4.56.14 PM

    Head Popper
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 4.58.17 PM

    P.S. birds of prey do it too

    Reply
  2. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    Teeth!
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.00.14 PM

    "When you get in the water with a wild animal, you’re essentially giving yourself to that animal because, as humans, we’re quite helpless and vulnerable in the water. You’re at the seal’s mercy. You’re at the predator’s mercy." – Paul Nicklen

    Bring Penguin Snacks
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.10.14 PM

    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.10.26 PM

    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.10.55 PM

    Fetch
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.05.43 PM

    Play with me
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.12.09 PM

    Audience reaction (my Dad and I are in the middle in white)
    Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 5.17.55 PM

    Reply
  3. msamaclean © Avatar
    msamaclean ©

    Really good TED…the shots of the narwhals are wonderful! Thanks.
    (never thought I’d laugh about dead penguins!…;-/).

    Reply
  4. solerena Avatar
    solerena

    i watched it with my kid, she loved it too… especially bear pictures and the seal story… looks like the seal has get really attached to him and fed him penguins… very cool… we are sorry about the ice melting… great photography and the tale of endurance…

    Reply
  5. nardell Avatar
    nardell

    Thank you Steve. I passed it on through my facebook page, what an inspiring and passionate guy. Awesome photos too of course. Love your shot of him too, great moment.

    Reply
  6. tonyjurvetson Avatar
    tonyjurvetson

    It was an incredible presentation. One of my favorites too. I wish I was younger and able to take him up on his invite to visit Antarctica together.

    Reply
  7. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    I have had the opportunity to attend workshops with some of the National Geographic photographers. They are exceptional photographers and wonderful people. What they manage to capture we can only dream of.

    Reply
  8. liu_yi_feng Avatar
    liu_yi_feng

    stunning!

    Reply
  9. rwoodworkr Avatar
    rwoodworkr

    Excellent.

    Reply

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