Staring contest with Southern Elephant Seals by thomasjmitchell

nature · @thomasjmitchell · Mar 19 '18

$47.22

Staring contest with Southern Elephant Seals

When you come across sleeping giants that can weigh over the 3,000kg | 6,000lbs mark, it’s a good idea to give them some space.  This day, as I was exploring and setting up markers in order to ensure these animals had their personal room and this male, whom was sleeping one moment suddenly awoke.  Now, when they stare at you they don’t blink. They don’t look around elsewhere. 
<center>Once they have spotted you.

***
**It. Is. A. Stare. Down. Situation!**
***
*Understand?*</center>
***
Due to their natural foraging grounds being anywhere from 600m|1800ft to over 1,500m|4,500ft their eyes have evolved to be highly efficient in low light environments.  For that reason when they are in, what we consider to be in 'natural light' conditions, their pupils are so huge that it throws off the depth perception.  It could be the reason why the stare at you so intensely.  It is always a good idea to give them a wide berth, which 15m|45ft is the what the IAATO guidelines state as the closet you may approach them.
***
<center>[![IMG_3088.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfHL9SDJSPHPQiFpTfm9WU4VUm5URvXbT6t12Uz2UUBKM/IMG_3088.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfHL9SDJSPHPQiFpTfm9WU4VUm5URvXbT6t12Uz2UUBKM/IMG_3088.jpg)
**A young male awakening up from his slumber and spotting me…**
*click image to view full size.*</center>
***
<center>Thanks for reading and all the support, Steemit!!

**Dont forget to Upvote & Resteem!!!**

All stories & photographs are of my own work unless noted under the picture in question.

For more stories and photos check out my [Instagram feed](https://www.instagram.com/thomas_mitchell2912/)</center>

👍 kpine, trevonjb, sux, jonathanyoung, choogirl, thomasjmitchell, goldbuyer, spreadfire1, bluebottlefilms, steemy69, vtravels, dmytrokorol, r00sj3, msvee, grafiktr, calan-nz, aura.connect, communicasound, dryslice, ronforest, cherish-humanity, aerialpegasus, paszq, vincs, conideas, boliwar, juraj, osobnirozvoj, dr741, hesaid, mayorblaze, marcelmaatkamp, reborca, cekmailna, frankyboy, dani123, summithunter, kirena, pqbd, zoelviana, abdullah67, arieframadhan

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@keciah · Mar 19 '18

What a moment to capture. I would be a little scared to be even 45 feet from this animal!

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@sherbanu · Mar 19 '18

Really excellent and courageous  work. Man you really have guts! Keep it on good shots.

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@spreadfire1 · Mar 19 '18

thanks for the warning, I'll remember that the next time I see one ;-)

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@reborca · Mar 19 '18

incredible, thanks for sharing

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@guessandgain · Mar 19 '18

what a mouth! :D

**Challenge, where you can win up to 100s $SD!
If you want to, you can try it here:**
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@chaseburnett · Mar 19 '18

I would definitely not want to come across those in the wild!

👍 thomasjmitchell

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@thomasjmitchell · Mar 19 '18

oh you do! trust me - it's mesmerizing & an unforgettable moment when you do

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@aerialpegasus · Mar 19 '18

$0.05

That could be a heart-stopping moment!  Like being spotted by a young, male rhinoceros.  What if he charges?  Yikes!!

👍 etcmike

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@thomasjmitchell · Mar 19 '18

it could potentially be heart-stopping... it is rare they would charge unless you are incredibly close to them for some reason - less than a metre of so...

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@aerialpegasus · Mar 21 '18

$0.05

I suppose if you have no natural predator enemies, you get pretty confident.  But, should anyone dare...

👍 etcmike

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@empress-eremmy · Mar 20 '18

😂 A staring contest you can't win.

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@thomasjmitchell · Mar 20 '18

yep. spot on. you don't ever win that contest

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@alex.alhouri · Mar 20 '18

i think you made him angry man , be honest what did you do :P ?

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@thomasjmitchell · Mar 20 '18

hahaha. that is just his "welcome to my beach" face

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@alex.alhouri · Mar 21 '18 (edited)

haha im sure it is ;)

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@attiyaomer · Mar 20 '18

Nice share. I think you live among animals more than wild humans :D

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