Weddell Sea
“Where ice goes to die,” is one description of the famous Weddell Sea. It was here that Shackelton and his men became trapped in the ice only to be expelled out of the gyre that defines the movement of ice in this cold and quiet place. The views of the ice were amazing, but it was charismatic mega-fauna that we were searching for. There have been sightings of Emperor penguins in this area before and since it is the largest penguin and one of the hardest birds in the world to see, spending a half day cruising seemed appropriate. One was seen on an ice floe and good views were had before it slipped back in the cold waters and on its way.
The afternoon was spent at Devil Island, named for the two horns of rock that jut almost straight up from the sea. The lowlands are home to a large colony of Adelie penguins and their large fluffy chicks. The scenic views were grand from the top of the 600 foot horn down onto the ship and ice below. After we left Devil Island a group of killer whales was spotted and the captain moved the National Geographic Endeavour in for a look at the two groups that included two large males and a very small calf.
It was a great day in a great place, the Weddell Sea.
“Where ice goes to die,” is one description of the famous Weddell Sea. It was here that Shackelton and his men became trapped in the ice only to be expelled out of the gyre that defines the movement of ice in this cold and quiet place. The views of the ice were amazing, but it was charismatic mega-fauna that we were searching for. There have been sightings of Emperor penguins in this area before and since it is the largest penguin and one of the hardest birds in the world to see, spending a half day cruising seemed appropriate. One was seen on an ice floe and good views were had before it slipped back in the cold waters and on its way.
The afternoon was spent at Devil Island, named for the two horns of rock that jut almost straight up from the sea. The lowlands are home to a large colony of Adelie penguins and their large fluffy chicks. The scenic views were grand from the top of the 600 foot horn down onto the ship and ice below. After we left Devil Island a group of killer whales was spotted and the captain moved the National Geographic Endeavour in for a look at the two groups that included two large males and a very small calf.
It was a great day in a great place, the Weddell Sea.
