One day, I was standing on the boat when a very large female leopard seal swam by. I put on my diving gear and got my camera. I was 1 . My mouth was dry. At first, I couldn't even move. But I knew it was time to2 this mysterious creature.
I jumped into the freezing water. Immediately, the seal swam toward me. Then she put my entire camera—and much of my3 — into her mouth. Although the seal was putting me at risk, I tried not to4 any fear. After a few seconds, she let go of my head. She5 me a few more times and swam away. Then she6 with a live penguin. She even tried to show me how to7 it. She tried to push the penguin into my camera — she thought the camera was my8 ! The seal thought I was just another large animal, and she was trying to9 me, I realized.
By now, she didn't seem very10 . She stayed by me for four days. One time, she noticed another leopard seal11 behind me. She made a deep, threatening sound and12 the other seal away.
Those four days were the most incredible experience I ever had as a wildlife13 . I got some amazing pictures. I also learned that animals do not always behave the way we14 . My relationship with this powerful and15 animal will stay with me forever.
