Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Today was a true exploring experience in the Antarctic and also a lot of fun. The conditions this morning were favorable for searching the east part of the Antarctic Peninsula, called the Weddell Sea, for the latest celebrity in the penguin world, the Emperor. The film “March of the Penguins” has made the animal quite popular due to the amazing images captured of their behavior during the winter breeding season. However, the Emperor penguin is not usually found in this part of Antarctica, except in one nesting sight found recently by Argentine researchers on Snow Hill Island. We hoped for a glimpse of these impressive 80 lb creatures as they made their way north at the end of their breeding season. A combination of great navigation by Captain Skog and his bridge officers along with the sharp eyes of one of our resident Oceanities penguin biologists, Steve Forest, created success. They worked together to get the National Geographic Endeavour very close to some sea ice and, at first, one Emperor penguin was sighted and then perhaps its mate as they greeted each other on the ice. It was an amazing scene.
The days’ adventure wasn’t over as our Expedition Leader Tim Soper and Captain Skog searched for a stable piece of fast ice in which to park the ship. Once found, the gangway was lowered and we gingerly walked on the slick sea ice with all confidence in its thickness - even though we had the passing thought of the many fathoms of cold water running beneath our feet. Hot chocolate awaited us as we returned to the ship to take pictures near the bow and wonder at the quiet nature of ice in all its forms.
The Weddell Sea had not disappointed us with its offerings. Tomorrow the adventure continues when we go from ice to the fire of Deception Island.
Today was a true exploring experience in the Antarctic and also a lot of fun. The conditions this morning were favorable for searching the east part of the Antarctic Peninsula, called the Weddell Sea, for the latest celebrity in the penguin world, the Emperor. The film “March of the Penguins” has made the animal quite popular due to the amazing images captured of their behavior during the winter breeding season. However, the Emperor penguin is not usually found in this part of Antarctica, except in one nesting sight found recently by Argentine researchers on Snow Hill Island. We hoped for a glimpse of these impressive 80 lb creatures as they made their way north at the end of their breeding season. A combination of great navigation by Captain Skog and his bridge officers along with the sharp eyes of one of our resident Oceanities penguin biologists, Steve Forest, created success. They worked together to get the National Geographic Endeavour very close to some sea ice and, at first, one Emperor penguin was sighted and then perhaps its mate as they greeted each other on the ice. It was an amazing scene.
The days’ adventure wasn’t over as our Expedition Leader Tim Soper and Captain Skog searched for a stable piece of fast ice in which to park the ship. Once found, the gangway was lowered and we gingerly walked on the slick sea ice with all confidence in its thickness - even though we had the passing thought of the many fathoms of cold water running beneath our feet. Hot chocolate awaited us as we returned to the ship to take pictures near the bow and wonder at the quiet nature of ice in all its forms.
The Weddell Sea had not disappointed us with its offerings. Tomorrow the adventure continues when we go from ice to the fire of Deception Island.
