One of the greatest gifts from growing up in the Arctic is how it gave me the chance to get closer to some of our planet’s more misunderstood wildlife. Walruses, for example, have a reputation for being short-tempered and intimidating, with large males like this one weighing up to 2,500 pounds. Despite their formidable presence, I find they can be surprisingly gentle and calm. When we learn to live alongside our fellow animals, we get to appreciate the full range of their personalities. If you’d like to read more about my close encounters with wildlife and the gifts that come from being immersed in the heart of nature, sign up for my newsletter through the link in my bio. My next issue comes out this Sunday, September 29th. All images are protected by overlai.app against AI. #walrus #wildlifephotography #arctic