At sea off central Brazil
This morning we awoke to some calmer sea conditions. A stiff wind still blew from the southeast caused by a cold front moving through yesterday. This day at sea should offer a relaxing opportunity to read a book or start organizing digital photos accumulated in the last few days. But our interest was also divided throughout the day with other activities. A keen-eyed watch was constantly kept from the bridge for any marine creatures that might appear between the waves and low swell. Announcements were periodically made by Art Cooley on what was being seen and where, if we chose to come out on deck. Early in the morning a bird familiar to those who had been to Antarctica circled the ship. A few of staff agreed that this dark South Polar Skua was on the edge of its normal range, but then we were in the Southern Hemisphere and these birds are some of the great wanderers of the southern oceans.
Other diversions during this day of cruising included a talk by David Barnes in the morning. David discussed some of the history of early explorations to the New World and some of the debates ongoing about those who traveled to far off lands, often not knowing what lay ahead. In the afternoon we first saw a very interesting video on the Deep Ocean with some absolutely amazing photography. Following a refreshing tea time Dennis Cornejo gave a presentation introducing us to the highly endangered and very unique Atlantic Forest of eastern Brasil. Limited to within about 100 miles of the coast from Brazil’s easternmost corner southward to a few hundred miles of the Uruguay border, this special forest type has suffered destruction from large urban population growth and also agriculture activities. Today just a small percentage of the original forest exists and we are fortunate to have a couple of opportunities to visit some of these forest areas during this trip.
As a finale of the day some one spotted something among the waves. The bridge officers slowed the ship. We then were treated to a few good looks at a cow and calf pair of Humpback Whales. These animals were on their way south to Antarctic waters for the southern hemisphere summer. Maybe they will again encounter the joyous shouts of guests on the Endeavour.
This morning we awoke to some calmer sea conditions. A stiff wind still blew from the southeast caused by a cold front moving through yesterday. This day at sea should offer a relaxing opportunity to read a book or start organizing digital photos accumulated in the last few days. But our interest was also divided throughout the day with other activities. A keen-eyed watch was constantly kept from the bridge for any marine creatures that might appear between the waves and low swell. Announcements were periodically made by Art Cooley on what was being seen and where, if we chose to come out on deck. Early in the morning a bird familiar to those who had been to Antarctica circled the ship. A few of staff agreed that this dark South Polar Skua was on the edge of its normal range, but then we were in the Southern Hemisphere and these birds are some of the great wanderers of the southern oceans.
Other diversions during this day of cruising included a talk by David Barnes in the morning. David discussed some of the history of early explorations to the New World and some of the debates ongoing about those who traveled to far off lands, often not knowing what lay ahead. In the afternoon we first saw a very interesting video on the Deep Ocean with some absolutely amazing photography. Following a refreshing tea time Dennis Cornejo gave a presentation introducing us to the highly endangered and very unique Atlantic Forest of eastern Brasil. Limited to within about 100 miles of the coast from Brazil’s easternmost corner southward to a few hundred miles of the Uruguay border, this special forest type has suffered destruction from large urban population growth and also agriculture activities. Today just a small percentage of the original forest exists and we are fortunate to have a couple of opportunities to visit some of these forest areas during this trip.
As a finale of the day some one spotted something among the waves. The bridge officers slowed the ship. We then were treated to a few good looks at a cow and calf pair of Humpback Whales. These animals were on their way south to Antarctic waters for the southern hemisphere summer. Maybe they will again encounter the joyous shouts of guests on the Endeavour.
