Going with the Floe

Tamara Stubbs's Image

Tamara Stubbs (UK) spots these crabeater seals taking a nap among the sea ice.

In a standout moment on her nine-week expedition in the Weddell Sea, Tamara noticed that seals had fallen asleep alongside the ship, with the tips of their nostrils at the water’s surface. These two had bobbed up so they could take a deeper breath.

There are around four million crabeater seals in the Antarctic. They are not considered endangered or under threat, but are protected by international conservation agreements.

More research is needed to understand the impact of climate change and tourism on their numbers.

Behind the lens

Tamara Stubbs

Tamara Stubbs

UK

Alongside a 20-plus-year career in making science, natural history and exploration films, working as an aerial camerawoman, sound recordist and stills photographer, Tamara has an intense love of photography and storytelling. She has a strong personal interest in our impact as humans on the world and the consequences of how we treat Earth. Through her work, travels and filming with scientists and conservation experts, she’s learned so much about our planet and loves to communicate this through her images.

Image details

  • Sony α7R II
  • Canon 24-70mm f2.8 lens at 70mm
  • 1/320 at f7.1  •   ISO 100  •   polarising filter
  • Weddell Sea, Antarctica
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