<< Previous Next >>

Weddell Seal


Weddell Seal
Photo Information
Copyright: Krzysztof Pabis (cataclysta) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 624 W: 104 N: 1375] (4287)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Olympus C-8080 WZ
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-02 1:47
Viewed: 858
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I promised you a note about my Antarctic research. I was a member of biological team on the Polish Antarctic Expedition. I am working on Antarctic benthic (living at the bottom) polychaetes (bristle worms – Polychaeta).

In the Antarctic we were working on the Russian ship Polar Pioneer. We were taking plankton samples and benthic samples. We also took some underwater photos of the bottom with all the living invertebrates like: Ascidiacea
, Bryozoa, Crustacea and Polychaeta. Unfortunately I cant show you those photos because I am no the author. We decided that we (8 people) are the authors of these photos (together) because we were all working together with a special underwater stand connected with a camera. The photos were taken automatically at the bottom.


The Polychaeta or polychaetes are a class of annelid worms, generally marine but there are also very few fresh water and terrestrial species. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae, which are made of chitin. Polychaeta means "many-bristled" (as opposed to the Oligochaeta [for example earth worms] which are "few-bristled"). More than 10,000 species are described in this class. You can read more about Polychaeta here


If you want to sea the photos of Antarctic benthic invertebrates in natural environment you can look at this site


And finally something about my photo. It is a Weddell Seal.

Perhaps the most well-known and 'appealing' of all the Antarctic seals, the Weddell seal lives farther south than any other mammal, inhabiting the waters of McMurdo Sound, 800 miles from the South Pole. These relatively placid animals are usually found in large groups on fast pack ice (ice attached to the continent) and can be easily approached by humans. Most of their time, however, is spent in the frigid Antarctic waters beneath several meters of ice, only emerging through cracks and blowholes to breathe, rest, and have their pups.

Feeding mainly at night, Weddells dive to impressive depths in pursuit of fish, squid, and krill. By collapsing their lungs and lowering their breathing rates, they are able to stay underwater for up to an hour.


Population: 800,000 individuals

Location: Antarctic circumpolar

Size: Up to 10 ft long

Weight: up to 1000 pounds

Diet: Fish, squid, & krill

Habitat: Fast shelf ice near cracks and holes


(information about Weddell seal from http://www.antarcticconnection.com)
LordPotty, fartash, JORAPAVI, Alex99, marhowie, go2stones, eqshannon, hester, jlynx, SelenE, Jamesp, tiklod, Maite, vmukherjee has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Great capture Krzysztov,
Very well composed with excellent detail and exposure.
Great work and a good note.
TFS
Steve

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2378 W: 164 N: 7139] (22556)
  • [2007-09-02 2:07]

Hello Krzysztof,
What an impressive close-up of this lovely seal. It's so realistic it almost pops out of my computer screen! Very sharp showing fine details of its head. Brilliant composition.
Thanks also for the note about your research.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hi Krzysztof, lovely portrait with wonderful details, very well done, ciao Silvio

hello Krzysztov,
nice capture, the pose and the expressions are lovely here,seems like its gonna get up and say "buddy i am taking rest, come later" excellent eye contact, well composed shot,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

An absolutely adorable face! Wonderfully composed - great shot.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1682 W: 24 N: 4890] (15942)
  • [2007-09-02 8:10]

Hi Krzysztof,
Just marking the post and will be back with a proper critique later. Sorry about this.
Regards.
Sumon

Well that is about as up close and personal as you can get. It is truly a very appealing face. Your work sounds fascinating. You manage wonderful sharpness. I like the crop you chose.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-09-02 10:34]

Hello Krzysztof

Excellent capture,did you lie down to get this POV? The DOF is very good.Well focused with sharp details.The colours appear very natural wit hrich saturation.TFS

Rob

Hello Krzysztov
Very intersting shot of this Weddell Seal,
Perfect focusing,DOF and BG,
Fantastic colors and POV,Superb shot,

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 923 W: 99 N: 1396] (4795)
  • [2007-09-02 12:18]

Hi Krzysztof.

What a stunning picture of this seal. The details in its face are so very clear and sharp.

TFS
Emma

Hola Krzysztof,
Precioso y simpatico retrato, excelente defincion y textura, bonita iluminacion, saludos
Jose Ramon

Looking each other full in the face, isn't it, Krzysztof?
A very interesting shot of the cute seal.
You have captured an unusual expression on its face -- a mixture of curiosity and trust.
Thanks once again for sharing a picture from your trip to Antarctica.

Hi Pabis,
A beautiful and cute seal. You have captured it very well with excellent details and composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2007-09-03 5:16]

Hi Krzysztof.
What a nice portrait of this cute animal. I like its interest for shooting. It poses very skillfully. Amazing green colour palette. Colours are clean and pleasant as well as the excellent level of contrast and exposure. PO is very impressive and shot is composed perfectly too. Lovely done job. My compliments and kind regards.
Alexei.

Hi Chris,
Cute closeup with a high level of detail.
Excellent exposure and natural colors.
Cool :)
Howard

Excellent presentation of this pleasant looking creature. Nice sharp image and good POV. Well done.

Reid

This seal shot series of yours is super. So crisp and clear, well composed portraits. Super pictures!
Bob

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1470 W: 18 N: 2966] (10884)
  • [2007-09-03 12:31]

Hi Krzysztof

Amazing close up shot! I could stare into those wonderful eyes for hours. The fur is so sharp and detailed I feel that I could touch it. The grey tones are lovely. Wonderful work

TFS

Karan

Hello Krzysztof
Which beautiful animal, and so much tenderizing.
Thank you to show it to us.
in a friendly way
Laurent

  • Great 
  • jlynx Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 72 W: 8 N: 32] (320)
  • [2007-09-04 1:41]

Prawie zajrza³es tej foce w oczy. Co ciekawe, nie wydaje sie byc wystraszona, a jedynie bardzo zdumiona Twoj± obecnoscia. Ladny kadr, a przede wszystkim swietna jego jakosc.
Pozdrawiam,
Jurek

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2307 W: 59 N: 3688] (11816)
  • [2007-09-04 12:25]

Hi Krzysztof,
Lovely portrait :o)
Well done and TFS
Selen

Hi Krzysztof,
A very cute portrait of thisa animal, details are excellent, specially in hairs and skins. Good close-up. You´re lucky visiting that magical place of the world
Regards
Hernán

Hi Chris,
Lovely and tender picture. Details are excellent! We can see furr very well.
Thanks,

Claude

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 978 W: 64 N: 1189] (4886)
  • [2007-11-12 6:55]

What a cute thing this Weddell seal!!
Your trip through Antarctica must have been fascinating. The note about your reserch is very interesting.
Magnificent job!
Thank you very much for sharing.
Best regards
Maite

Nice shot! Good reflections in the eye. Good POV.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF