This was a rare sighting down in South Georgia, for Weddell Seals live in a circumpolar distribution around Antarctica. Our One Ocean expedition guides told us there has been a small population of Weddells observed year-round here in Larsen Harbor, along with some others who have been seen in South America, New Zealand and south of Australia. There was only this one lying on the small spit of flat land, in what is mostly sheer cliffs of the fjord and no flat shoreline. Our expedition guide got our Zodiac to about 20 or so feet and turned off the motor, as to not disturb it. As we clicked away grabbing shots like this, it just sat there on its side looking at us, never moving, with not a care in the world. Drygalski Fjord & Larsen Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°50'10.032" S 36°2'35.892" W
These adorable elephant seal pups were everywhere at Gold Harbour, from the moment the first group unloaded off the zodiac, to when the last departed. It was a literal swarm of a these cuties, coming up to the home base on the beach, which is where everyone could leave their belongings, along with an expedition guide always present to assist with anything. My friend I probably spent a good half hour or more, sitting in the sand, while these pups came right up to us within inches, soaking it all in. I mean honestly, how could you not love them, with their puppy like faces, and big round, inquisitive, curious eyes, looking right at you. These few week old pups were looking at us for food, more specifically, milk. Their moms trained them for 2-3 weeks and then took off to sea, gone for at least a few years before seeing them again. While it might seem harsh, in nature, it is sink or swim. For these pups, instincts will kick in and most will survive to grow into adulthood. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'2.615" S 35°56'21.594" W
Behold the Beachmaster!! This guy was huge! And he just won a fight in the water, dueling with another smaller male elephant seal. His post-victory end-zone dance/celebration/chest pounding/I-am-seal-hear-me-roar, was close to a minute long. It was a deep, gut-punching, machine gun like belch, over and over, until he made sure no other male would mess with him. It is said this roar can be heard from over mile away and I strongly concur, sitting no more than maybe 100ft away. With a slight chill in the air, he was expending so much effort doing this, that you can even see steam protruding from its open mouth. The rawness of nature is so amazing. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'2.597" S 35°56'21.348" W
