This morning we landed on the Antarctic continent! Our destination was Brown Bluff, and National Geographic Explorer made its way through the sea ice to our anchorage just as the fog lifted. Throughout the morning, conditions on shore improved with incredible light breaking through the clouds and bringing the sea ice to life. Adélie and gentoo penguins were busy stealing rocks from each other and tending to their respective nests in preparation for laying their eggs in the coming days.
Persistence on the bridge paid off with not one, but two emperor penguins spotted on sea ice. This far north, it is very unlikely to encounter an emperor, so two on the same day was exceptional. The bridge team skilfully navigated the ship close to the ice floe so that we could all enjoy watching the world’s largest penguin.
National Geographic Explorer sailed into the sheltered waters behind Dundee Island for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising. We explored the rocky outcrops covered in Adélie penguins and sailed around the beautiful icebergs in the afternoon light.
