One of the most charming and curious of the apex predators in the Southern Ocean and on the Antarctic peninsula is the *Leopard Seal*. They are not shy about coming right up to zodiacs to investigate what is going on, they even have a tendency to act somewhat aggressive towards small vessels, with numerous reports of them biting zodiac tubes and bursting them.

So, a lot of the time when one approaches you, you don't really know what you are in store for - it might be a friendly seal simply cruising over to say hi or it might not be too welcoming and act aggressively. In other words, my anxiety was a little high when this large female decided to come on over to my zodiac to investigate, as I was not sure exactly what was going to happen.  Fortunately, for me, she swam around under my vessel for a few moments, allowing me to take some underwater footage and then went about her way, no doubt to forage on some Gentoo penguins that were in the shallows nearby.  All in all, it was an amazing close encounter of a stunning apex predator of Antarctica
***
<center>[![Screen Shot 2018-12-26 at 2.27.15 PM-1.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmd4DqHDsfHWkG2b7uEz3M3SUKqdYx3muhKcixtCMKhPi2/Screen%20Shot%202018-12-26%20at%202.27.15%20PM-1.jpg)](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmd4DqHDsfHWkG2b7uEz3M3SUKqdYx3muhKcixtCMKhPi2/Screen%20Shot%202018-12-26%20at%202.27.15%20PM-1.jpg)
*Click image to view full size*</center>
***
<center>Thanks for reading and all the support, Steemit!!

**Dont forget to Upvote & Resteem!!!**

All stories & photographs are of my own work unless noted under the picture in question.

For more stories and photos check out my [Instagram feed](https://www.instagram.com/thomas_jmitchell/)

**Check out my website - [Just BCOZ Photography](www.justbcozphotography.com)**</center>