Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Crabeater seal with bed-head

This was one of hundreds of crabeater seals snoozing on chunks of snow-covered sea ice, south of the Antarctic circle. Their blond hair tends to darken when wet from the snow-melt, as they lay on their sides. Crabeater seals tend to feed (on krill, not crabs!) during the darker hours and sleep through midday, although the sun only sets briefly at that time of year.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Prospect Point, Fish Islands, Antarctica
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Copyright: © Conor Ryan