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Mirounga leonina

SC189- Animals in the wild

Southern elephant seals are the world's largest true seals, the bulls can reach a weight of 3500-4000kg and a length of 6,5m.

At Hannah Point/ Walker Bay on Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, a group of volcanic islands north of the Antarctic Peninsula) juvenile male elephant seals come to rest and moult.

Because of the high concentration of diverse wildlife, the rare vegetation and the geologigal features (fossils and a red jasper dyke) visits are very restricted.
I felt privileged to see the huge elephant seals and was glad to have managed a decent shot.

This week I only found a pair of (wild) storks, they had chosen to build their nest not in the wild but in our zoo. With the river nearby and a protected environment for their nest they have the best of both worlds;-)

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67 comments

Joe, Son of the Rock said:

This a fantastic animal portrait, Gudrun. I don't think I would like to get too close to this creature. I hope you have an excellent Sunday! Kindest regards, Joe
4 weeks ago

Gudrun replied to Joe, Son of the Rock:

Thank you so much, Joe! Their pungent smell is enough to keep you at a distance;-)
4 weeks ago

Jaap van 't Veen said:

Awesome portrait.
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Jaap van 't Veen:

Many thanks, Jaap!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Alexander Prolygin said:

Excellent portrait !!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Alexander Prolygin:

Thanks a lot, Alexander!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

J.Garcia said:

Splendid images, Gudrun!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to J.Garcia:

Obrigada, Judite!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Patrick Brandy said:

Superbe images impressionnant cet éléphant de mer bon dimanche-
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Patrick Brandy:

Merci beaucoup, Patrick!
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Jean-Paul said:

Ganz tolles Bild dieser Seekuh!
Aber auch die Storche wissen zu begeistern.
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Jean-Paul:

Herzlichen Dank, Jean Paul! Bei den Störchen war arg viel Geäst dazwischen...
4 weeks ago ( translate )

Amelia said:

Not the most beautiful of creatures. ;-)))
4 weeks ago

Gudrun replied to Amelia:

Thanks very much, Amelia! Certainly not, but the smell is much worse;-)
4 weeks ago

Xata said:

Large hungry (or angry or both!) mouth **************
4 weeks ago