Antarctica day 8- cont. - Neko Harbour part 2

Everything is fluid as we never know if we can go because of ice, waves etc.  then when we get there, we are never sure whether we can do the activity.
We have landed on the 7th continent of the world and have pictures to prove it!

We land on a sandy beach, We can hike up to the top and look at another rookery plus the magnificent view but we are warned of the very active glaciers that are calving frequently.

                                                           A little information on icebergs.

                                                      The bankings are about 200-300 feet high.

                                                                 So peaceful and quiet.

                                            Not as cold out today as i am in my other layer.

                             The zodiacs are off to check out the area that we will be going to.

The zodiacs are pushing the ice out of the way so we can get on the zodiacs.  The currents are very strong. Even the ship has changed its position to try and afford us some protection.

               I think this is a Leopard seal.  .his only natural predator is the killer whale.

 This was the most beautiful piece I have seen.  Below i put this picture in so the zodiac gives you a prupective.

we had the pleasure of this guy coming right beside the zodiac. Our guide was thrilled as he had never had this happen before. I took a picture of him but you can only see a ripple in the water and a shadow. so I left it out.

This guy is a crabeater seal. He is considered a medium size seal. They have an interesting way to eat. They open their mouth and take in krill with the water and then close the mouth and push out the water trapping the krill in their teeth. Krill is about 95% of their diet.  Unfortunately the rest of the human world is now liking krill too.

He needs to loose his feathers before he goes swimming or he will drown.

                         A rookery behind me..wish you could hear them..and smell them.!!!

                                                      A baby getting feed by the parent.

                                                 I'll follow you ..just keep waddling!

           The penguin highways.  If you are in one of them as they come by, they are very confused...

     I think this is a Weddell seal. They can dive 2000 feet below and stay for 45 minutes.

A parent sitting on the babies.  You never can tell if it is a male of female as they share with the responsibilities.

                                                              Lots of nests and babies....

The quietness and vastness of this place can not be really projected in my pictures..Quite amazing!

Antarctica- day 8 Cuverville Island and Neko Harbour Part 1

We are off and running today,
  Everyday will be a mystery as it all depends on weather and permission to go where the ship would like to go.

Day 8 Feb 5th Antarctic Peninsula. 64.8 degrees latitude. Cuverville Island  In the Gerlache Strait. 

Temperature is 39 ` cloudy and we are surrounded by icebergs. Hopefully we will be able to touch Antarctica. 
We traveled to the shore in zodiacs to visit the group of rookery.Gentoo penguins.  Lots of penguins!!!

This island has small vertical cliffs up to 200m in elevation . It is home of  Giant Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Antarctic Terns, Snowy Sheathbills and South Polar Skuas.

                  WE landed where the arrow is but we were able to walk up to the areas of rookeries. We are told about 4800 pairs.

                   When you see the zodiac off in the distance, it gives you an idea how big things are!

           Loading us up. Most of the time we are 10 in the boat depending on the sea and weather,
                                                       not to mention the ice we break through.

                       My first picture of Gentoo penguins...many more to come.. Just love these guys!

                                                                     WADDLE WADDLE

              There is some plant life here in the summer. Two kinds of mosses here in this picture.

                      My little guy needs to loose all his feathers before he can swim or he will drown.

A penguin egg and to the left is a Rock cod  they eat.

                             Some babies following their parent "feed me" and some are on their nests.

 He is a little dirty from the Krill which is orange.. you might be able to see the orange snow through out the photos.

                                                                       Someones foot.

                                     Can't get enough of these guys! They go on forever in their rookeries

                                      My lone ranger.taking a break. Below are whale bones.

.

The weather is always changing so you never know what you will get when you leave. Lots of ice..

                                                                 A little dolphin coming on by

 Or it could be calm..

We are back for a BQ lunch outside and then off again later.
 Every time we come to the ship we have to spray wash our boots and poles but in my case, they had to wash my back side down as i sat down and tried to get a penguin to come to me..No matter where you sit you are in penguin poop...and it has a smell of its own!!!