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.

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“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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