Old Whaling Base and Fur Seals by Robert Bateman

 

Published in 1985

 

"This scene shows a fascinating place in the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island. It is basically the rim of a volcanic crater, so the island is a thiin, steep ring. It is a fairly old volcano, but it is not extinct. Kerguelen fur seals visit the island during certain times of the year. Of course, fur seals are not true seals which have no external ears and drag their hind flippers. They are so-called eared seals, or sea lions. Raising up to full height they seem to stand tall, and can almost run on all fours using their hind flippers. The harem bull weighs over 100 pounds. many bulls are heavily scarred during the mating and territorial fights." - R. Bateman