At Sea between the Falklands and South America
Migration is a remarkable feat. An animal with what would appear to be limited resources can not only find the strength and the will, but the navigational ability, to travel thousands of miles in all kinds of weather. As we complete our migration to Antarctica, the islands of the Southern Ocean and back, we are awed by their abilities.
Our journey from northern latitudes to the southern ocean and beyond was coming to an end. This morning we awoke to calm seas and fair winds on our way from the Falkland Islands to the tip of South America. Today, we watched Sei Whales as they made their migration from the south to warmer latitudes and contemplated the complications of migration.
The Arctic tern, the champion long distance flyer, leaves the high Arctic after breeding, crosses to the coast of Africa, and flies deep into the Weddell Sea where it spends the southern summer. Flying north again it passes Elephant Island, goes up the coast of South America, returning to the Arctic. Its route crosses ours and we are touched by its achievement.
During the whaling days in the Southern Ocean, right whales along with other species were killed in the tens of thousands. Today, the right whale is making a comeback. Its increased numbers have provided us with a chance to see these gentle animals with increasing frequency. What a joy it is to watch a whale that was persecuted so severely slowly swim in Antarctic waters.
While the penguins do not travel the distances the terns do, each year unerringly they find not only their natal colony but in most cases their precise nest from the previous year. How is it that a small animal with a modest-sized brain leaves for the winter to feed in the waters of the Southern Ocean, survives the winter storms, and returns to create more penguins?
When the Drake Passage opened millions of years ago, there was created for the first time a continuous band of water around the earth where the wind could blow undiminished. Undoubtedly, encouraged by the strong winds that developed, soaring birds found a habitat suited to their abilities. Wandering and royal albatrosses with eleven-foot wingspans could fly around the world searching for food. During the breeding season they would travel hundreds even thousands of miles to feed and, then, return to feed their chicks. Their navigational abilities are unequaled.
During the morning, Rex brought us a small bird that he had found on the ship. It was the smallest of the southern ocean birds, a gray-backed storm-petrel. It fit easily into a hand where, after a time, it rested quietly. Later, when it was being released, it seemed content, even reluctant to leave the warmth of the human hand. But it did fly off to continue its migration pattern, one to which we were not privy.
We have traveled with the benefit of radar, global positioning systems, charts, experience, and a sturdy ship. We are impressed with our accomplishments and will take home memories that will remain with us for a very long time. One of those memories will be the remarkable ability of the earth’s creatures that consistently migrate with accuracy in, what must be to them and us, a huge world. We leave with a renewed respect for the creatures that share the earth with us... as we too, perhaps reluctantly... migrate home.
Migration is a remarkable feat. An animal with what would appear to be limited resources can not only find the strength and the will, but the navigational ability, to travel thousands of miles in all kinds of weather. As we complete our migration to Antarctica, the islands of the Southern Ocean and back, we are awed by their abilities.
Our journey from northern latitudes to the southern ocean and beyond was coming to an end. This morning we awoke to calm seas and fair winds on our way from the Falkland Islands to the tip of South America. Today, we watched Sei Whales as they made their migration from the south to warmer latitudes and contemplated the complications of migration.
The Arctic tern, the champion long distance flyer, leaves the high Arctic after breeding, crosses to the coast of Africa, and flies deep into the Weddell Sea where it spends the southern summer. Flying north again it passes Elephant Island, goes up the coast of South America, returning to the Arctic. Its route crosses ours and we are touched by its achievement.
During the whaling days in the Southern Ocean, right whales along with other species were killed in the tens of thousands. Today, the right whale is making a comeback. Its increased numbers have provided us with a chance to see these gentle animals with increasing frequency. What a joy it is to watch a whale that was persecuted so severely slowly swim in Antarctic waters.
While the penguins do not travel the distances the terns do, each year unerringly they find not only their natal colony but in most cases their precise nest from the previous year. How is it that a small animal with a modest-sized brain leaves for the winter to feed in the waters of the Southern Ocean, survives the winter storms, and returns to create more penguins?
When the Drake Passage opened millions of years ago, there was created for the first time a continuous band of water around the earth where the wind could blow undiminished. Undoubtedly, encouraged by the strong winds that developed, soaring birds found a habitat suited to their abilities. Wandering and royal albatrosses with eleven-foot wingspans could fly around the world searching for food. During the breeding season they would travel hundreds even thousands of miles to feed and, then, return to feed their chicks. Their navigational abilities are unequaled.
During the morning, Rex brought us a small bird that he had found on the ship. It was the smallest of the southern ocean birds, a gray-backed storm-petrel. It fit easily into a hand where, after a time, it rested quietly. Later, when it was being released, it seemed content, even reluctant to leave the warmth of the human hand. But it did fly off to continue its migration pattern, one to which we were not privy.
We have traveled with the benefit of radar, global positioning systems, charts, experience, and a sturdy ship. We are impressed with our accomplishments and will take home memories that will remain with us for a very long time. One of those memories will be the remarkable ability of the earth’s creatures that consistently migrate with accuracy in, what must be to them and us, a huge world. We leave with a renewed respect for the creatures that share the earth with us... as we too, perhaps reluctantly... migrate home.
