Beneath the faint glow of the Antarctic sky, I allowed the swirling current to slowly bring me face to face with this beautiful female leopard seal drifting on a pan of sea ice. As I drew near, she lifted herself up high, stretching her massive body and giving me a clear view of her spotted coat. I like the challenge of exposing the softer side of animals with undeserved reputations as “vicious” predators. If I can help reveal their multifaceted natures and unique stories, they suddenly become fellow living beings we can empathize with and understand.