Yesterday was our first footing on land in 5 days and our
first contact with Antarctica. We
anchored in Half Moon Bay in the South Shetland Islands. Our captain placed us only a couple
hundred yards from shore so the Zodiac ride to the beach was only 2 minutes. All bundled against the cold, our group
was the first to depart. We go
ashore in groups that alternate in their turns for any outing. Approx 10 to a Zodiac, we stepped into
shallow water on a rocky, pebbled beach and climbed and hiked across snowfields
to the rookeries of Chinstrap Penguins.
We had a sunny early start, but the weather changes constantly.
We cannot stop taking pictures, Deb stills and me
video. I lost Deb among the
penguins snapping happily with her camera. I witnessed two petrels capturing and eating a penguin
chick. Life is harsh in this
environ. Some are included. There is a constant smell of guano that
we cannot include with the pictures.
Each group has a 90 minute outing and our return was in 15 knot winds
with some spray over the bow of the Zodiac.
1 comment:
Wow! Just now getting to catch up on all the adventure....this is spectacular! I can't wait to see the video. Hoping Dad has that all under control. Love you! - the boy
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