Due to their formidable appearance and size, reaching up to 1,000 pounds, leopard seals can come across as intimidating. While their status as one of Antarctica’s top predators is undeniable, I find that the depth of their multifaceted nature runs much deeper than we realize. In one of my first encounters with their species, a large female started bringing me penguins out of apparent concern for my well-being. The more I refused, the harder she tried to feed me, until she was practically hitting me over the head with them. Her generosity touched my heart and revealed a more empathetic side to an animal that many are quick to label as a villain. If you’d like to read more stories from behind the lens, please visit the link in my bio to subscribe to my newsletter. All images are protected by overlai.app against AI and are not available for AI training. #leopardseal #oceanphotography #antarctica