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This has got to be one of our favorite Antarctic photos, a Chinstrap Penguin lying on the rocks for a short rest with what looks like a winsome smile on his face. |
Due to Wi-Fi issues, we’re unable to format line spacing. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Most days, we board the Zodiac boats twice, once in the early morning and another in the afternoon between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm since it stays light until after 10:00 pm in the Antarctic this time of year. It’s not easy undertaking dressing and undressing in many layers of clothing to ensure we stay toasty warm when out on the 10 passenger boats.
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Moments later, he stood up and posed for this shot. Thank you, Penguin. |
All of our outer layers are waterproof, a must for an Antarctic expedition even in these warmer summer months when temperatures can drop well below freezing. Also, as the windiest place in the world, we never felt over-dressed after reaching as far south as the South Shetland Islands in the Antarctic Peninsula.
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The rocky terrain was suitable for the penguins but less so, for us humans. |
After years of relatively warm climates, surprisingly it wasn’t difficult for either of us to adapt to the cold windy climate. After Tom spent his first 60 years in Minnesota and my 45 years, both of us felt right at home in the cold weather.
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A group of passengers atop a hill we were climbing. |
Each time we venture off the ship we bundle up in long Lycra workout pants, waterproof ski pants, hats, gloves and then the huge warm red parkas the ship provides (which we can keep).
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It was highly entertaining seeing these adorable playful Chinstrap Penguins. |
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Our ship, Ponant Le Soleal, waiting for us while we were on shore. |
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Penguins combing through the rocky cliff. |
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Antarctica has many unusual rock formations from millions of years of glacier activity. |
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Penguins are very social among themselves. Note a few fluffy chicks in this colony.
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A fur seal lounging next to an abandoned half barrel on Deception Island.
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The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding colony of about 100 pairs of south polar skuas. Other birds nesting on the island include chinstrap penguins (2000 pairs), Antarctic terns (125 pairs), kelp gulls (40 pairs), Wilson’s and black-bellied storm petrels, Cape petrels, brown skuas, snowy sheathbills and imperial shags.Weddell and Antarctic fur seals regularly haul out on the beaches. Southern elephant seals have been recorded. Whales are often seen patrolling the shores.
Our next stop in the late afternoon was Deception Island, directly into the caldera of a active volcano. Here’s information about that island from this site:
“Deception Island is an island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, with one of the safest harbours in Antarctica. This island is the caldera of an active volcano, which seriously damaged local scientific stations in 1967 and 1969. The island previously held a whaling station; it is now a tourist destination and scientific outpost, with Argentine and Spanish research bases. While various countries have asserted sovereignty, it is still administered under the Antarctic Treaty System.
The first authenticated sighting of Deception Island was by the British sealers William Smith and Edward Bransfield from the brig Williams in January 1820; it was first visited and explored by the American sealer Nathaniel Palmer on the sloop Hero the following summer, on 15 November 1820. He remained for two days, exploring the central bay.
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The whaling equipment and housing were destroyed by a volcano eruption in 1969 and operations ceased from there. |
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A resting Gentoo Penguin. |
After returning yesterday afternoon, again we met with all of our new friends for happy hour and then later for dinner. After dinner ended, we headed to deck three for the live band in the lounge and a night of Karaoke. We pulled chairs together and had another spectacular evening of entertainment, lively chatter and endless travel stories.
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Tom spotted this military ship while we were on land at Deception Island. |
This morning was quite an experience when we toured a portion of Paradise Island, a stunning experience, which we’ll share in tomorrow’s post. Now, we need to work on the photos and get this post uploaded in time to board a Zodiac for another outing today. We’re the “blue” group and we need to be dressed and ready to go by 2:15 pm.
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Alternate view of a military vessel at Deception Island. |
With only five days remaining until the cruise ends, we’re savoring every moment and hoping you are doing the same!
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Photo from one year ago today, February 3, 2017:
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Expansive views of the Huon River in Tasmania, Australia. For more photos, please click here.
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