Neko Harbor and Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsula
We have made several amazing landings in Antarctica this week, all on islands. This morning at Neko Harbor we set foot on the continent itself, on terra firma Antarctica. Just like nesting penguins, we must seek exposed land in this surreal ice-covered world where we can come ashore. Several people danced a jig beside Gentoo penguins to celebrate setting foot on their seventh continent.
In Paradise Bay near the Argentine station Almirante Brown, Captain Leif Skog maneuvered our ship through a maze of cerulean icebergs up to a steep ice-free cliff encrusted with healthy lichen and moss colonies. Our ‘Ice Master’ skillfully nosed the Endeavour so close that from the bow we could observe tiny Antarctic blue-eyed shag chicks on nests below.
Deeper within this bay called Paradise, surrounded 360 degrees by soft blue glaciers, we dispatched adventurous kayakers among myriad floating icy forms. Even beginner kayakers safely paddled this otherworldly paradise. Zodiac cruises explored farther reaches of the bay, discovering leopard seals and penguins on ice and Antarctic minke whales.
On board we watched incredible video captured by our Undersea Specialist. We were offered rare looks at fish, sponges, crabs and other curious creatures adapted to these frigid waters. We amazed at how penguins do fly – underwater, that is. Our diver’s video demonstrated how incredibly modified paddle-wings and streamlined body design give the lovable land-waddling birds such graceful motion in water.
Landing ashore amongst penguin colonies, watching wildlife and scenery by expedition ship, cruising low in the water in Zodiacs and in kayaks, viewing images of the undersea world – we have many modes of exploration on the Endeavour; today we continued our Photo Expedition of amazing Antarctica in all of these manners.
We have made several amazing landings in Antarctica this week, all on islands. This morning at Neko Harbor we set foot on the continent itself, on terra firma Antarctica. Just like nesting penguins, we must seek exposed land in this surreal ice-covered world where we can come ashore. Several people danced a jig beside Gentoo penguins to celebrate setting foot on their seventh continent.
In Paradise Bay near the Argentine station Almirante Brown, Captain Leif Skog maneuvered our ship through a maze of cerulean icebergs up to a steep ice-free cliff encrusted with healthy lichen and moss colonies. Our ‘Ice Master’ skillfully nosed the Endeavour so close that from the bow we could observe tiny Antarctic blue-eyed shag chicks on nests below.
Deeper within this bay called Paradise, surrounded 360 degrees by soft blue glaciers, we dispatched adventurous kayakers among myriad floating icy forms. Even beginner kayakers safely paddled this otherworldly paradise. Zodiac cruises explored farther reaches of the bay, discovering leopard seals and penguins on ice and Antarctic minke whales.
On board we watched incredible video captured by our Undersea Specialist. We were offered rare looks at fish, sponges, crabs and other curious creatures adapted to these frigid waters. We amazed at how penguins do fly – underwater, that is. Our diver’s video demonstrated how incredibly modified paddle-wings and streamlined body design give the lovable land-waddling birds such graceful motion in water.
Landing ashore amongst penguin colonies, watching wildlife and scenery by expedition ship, cruising low in the water in Zodiacs and in kayaks, viewing images of the undersea world – we have many modes of exploration on the Endeavour; today we continued our Photo Expedition of amazing Antarctica in all of these manners.
