Drake Passage & Aitcho Islands
As we started our second day crossing the Drake Passage, we awoke to relatively mild seas and a wonderful array of southern seabirds. By now the National Geographic Endeavour was well within Antarctic waters, but there were still four species of albatross circling the ship, including several Light-Mantled Sooty Albatross. There were also a variety of petrels, fulmars and prions accompanying our voyage south. By the time we were approaching the South Shetland Islands, the albatross had slowly disappeared and left us to the true Antarctic birds.
About eleven in the morning we started into English Strait on our approach to the Aitcho Islands. Tim Soper, our Expedition Leader, invited us out on deck to view our entry into the world of Antarctica and the first land in several days. There was a very exciting atmosphere all around the ship, as everyone knew our long journey was finally going to be rewarded. The cameras were clicking and the questions started flowing!
After lunch, Tim gave us the mandatory briefing for landing in this magnificent place, and we were soon off in the zodiacs toward shore. Even though there was rain and wind, we hardy explorers finally got our boots wet and landed in Antarctica. More than half of us went on the longer walk along the island, while the rest focused on learning about and photographing the penguins. This particular island has nesting Gentoo and Chinstraps, which are two of the “brush-tailed” penguins, and are common along the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This landing had a surprise in store for us, something very rare in this area: a King penguin. Kings are subantarctic island nesters and very rare down on the peninsula area.
As if that were not enough, Steve MacLean spotted an Antarctic Fur seal that decided he wanted to assert his dominance over the “blue parka” invaders of his resting area. So, after making a steady, if not sometimes hasty retreat, we continued on our way, and left him to settle back into a more relaxed resting mode. As we explored further down the landing beach, we discovered a yearling Elephant seal hauled out on the black volcanic sand. There were also a number of old whale bones scattered along the way. Not a bad first landing!
After returning to the ship and getting out of our soggy clothing, we prepared for the night’s event, the “Captain’s Welcome Aboard” cocktail party and dinner. What a first day in this magnificent place!
Oh yeah, did I mention what Tim and the captain had in store for us the next day? Exploring the Weddell Sea! Stay tuned!
As we started our second day crossing the Drake Passage, we awoke to relatively mild seas and a wonderful array of southern seabirds. By now the National Geographic Endeavour was well within Antarctic waters, but there were still four species of albatross circling the ship, including several Light-Mantled Sooty Albatross. There were also a variety of petrels, fulmars and prions accompanying our voyage south. By the time we were approaching the South Shetland Islands, the albatross had slowly disappeared and left us to the true Antarctic birds.
About eleven in the morning we started into English Strait on our approach to the Aitcho Islands. Tim Soper, our Expedition Leader, invited us out on deck to view our entry into the world of Antarctica and the first land in several days. There was a very exciting atmosphere all around the ship, as everyone knew our long journey was finally going to be rewarded. The cameras were clicking and the questions started flowing!
After lunch, Tim gave us the mandatory briefing for landing in this magnificent place, and we were soon off in the zodiacs toward shore. Even though there was rain and wind, we hardy explorers finally got our boots wet and landed in Antarctica. More than half of us went on the longer walk along the island, while the rest focused on learning about and photographing the penguins. This particular island has nesting Gentoo and Chinstraps, which are two of the “brush-tailed” penguins, and are common along the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This landing had a surprise in store for us, something very rare in this area: a King penguin. Kings are subantarctic island nesters and very rare down on the peninsula area.
As if that were not enough, Steve MacLean spotted an Antarctic Fur seal that decided he wanted to assert his dominance over the “blue parka” invaders of his resting area. So, after making a steady, if not sometimes hasty retreat, we continued on our way, and left him to settle back into a more relaxed resting mode. As we explored further down the landing beach, we discovered a yearling Elephant seal hauled out on the black volcanic sand. There were also a number of old whale bones scattered along the way. Not a bad first landing!
After returning to the ship and getting out of our soggy clothing, we prepared for the night’s event, the “Captain’s Welcome Aboard” cocktail party and dinner. What a first day in this magnificent place!
Oh yeah, did I mention what Tim and the captain had in store for us the next day? Exploring the Weddell Sea! Stay tuned!
