VALDES PENINSULA
Jutting into the Atlantic from Patagonia's
northeastern quadrant, Valdes Peninsula teems with life along its headlands
and pebble beaches. Sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, Magellanic
penguins, and myriad seabirds congregate in vast numbers.
But the southern right whale is the real star here,
returning annually to the tranquil bays to breed and give birth. Designated
a protected reserve, the peninsula is also the hunting ground of packs of orcas
who hurl themselves onto the beach to take sea lion and elephant seal pups just
learning to swim.
Photographs © Walt Clayton III
All Rights Reserved
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW
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Rugged coastline at low tide
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Eastern coastline
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Southern right whale
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Right whale at sunset
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Dead yearling right whale
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Balleen to filter krill from water
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Female elephant seal
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Female elephant seal
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Aggressive male elephant seal
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Female elephant seal bellows a warning
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Elephant seal bonds with newborn pup
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Magellanic penguins invade Punta Tombo
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Penguins ready for their closeup
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Penguin rookery overlooking the Atlantic
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Searching for a burrow
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Molting Magellanic chick
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Ocean tidepool congregation
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Male and female sea lions
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Approaching death at dawn
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Elephant seal pup
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Orca pack attacks sea lions
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Orca attacks sea lion pup in water
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Orca captures sea lion pup
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Sea lion mourns her lost pup
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Male elephant seal protests picture taking
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