1st Place Coldwater

Greg Lecoeur

"Crab-Eater Seal"

 Greg won a 7 nights liveaboard diving package in Palau with Solitude Liveaboards! 

The Story: During an expedition on a small sailboat, we explored the Antarctica Peninsula by diving below the surface. Although the conditions were extreme with a temperature of -1°C, we documented extraordinary marine fauna at home in a fragile ecosystem, such as on this image: crabeater seal. We also saw leopard seals, gentoo penguins, Antarctica fur seals, and weddell seals. All these marine animals are affected by global warming with the melting of the ice. Despite the name, Crabeater Seals don’t eat Crabs. Krill make up to 95% of a Crabeater Seal’s diet. Crabeater seals have developed a sieve-shaped tooth structure that filters krill, much like whale baleen. They suck up water containing krill, close their jaws, and push the water between their specialized teeth, trapping the krill inside.

Location:  Antartica Peninsula

Equipment Used:  Nikon D500 Camera, Tokina 10-17mm Lens, Nauticam NA-D500 Housing, Dual Ikelite DS-161 Strobes

Camera Settings: 1/250 sec, F9, ISO 250

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