Neko Harbor & Cuverville Island
Ship’s Position: 64°50’S 62°33’W
Love should be celebrated in many ways and on all the days, at home and out in nature. And on this particular Saint Valentine’s Day, our wintry host bestowed upon us tokens of affection sure to be long remembered.
Her gifts arrived throughout the day,
Wrapped in shrouds of misty snow and icy floes,
Belying their beauty until their sly appearance beneath our nose.
Which gift was best? One might argue that each held sway.
First, a penguin grand and regal,
One whose molt was nearly done,
A king penguin, a surprising one,
For it’s presence was barely legal.
Next were whales, fast and swift.
Minkes here, there, and everywhere.
Spraying our Zodiacs with their breaths of air.
One who nearly tried to board the ship!
Leopard seals on ice toward the end of day,
Lazily spied our boats with their smiling stare,
While one below tested for wear and tear,
Determined to add its presence to the fray.
But perhaps my favorite, was a quiet look.
From a Weddell seal that came into view
Through our splash cam and out of the blue.
An Antarctic siren, and one for the book.
Forgive my efforts at rhyme and rhythm,
But the thought was there, and my intentions well-given.
In closing of our day in Antarctica, I leave to all of you and yours an excerpt that may more aptly describe our visit today from John Clare’s poem, First Love:
“I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before.
My heart was left its dwelling-place
And can return no more.”
Ship’s Position: 64°50’S 62°33’W
Love should be celebrated in many ways and on all the days, at home and out in nature. And on this particular Saint Valentine’s Day, our wintry host bestowed upon us tokens of affection sure to be long remembered.
Her gifts arrived throughout the day,
Wrapped in shrouds of misty snow and icy floes,
Belying their beauty until their sly appearance beneath our nose.
Which gift was best? One might argue that each held sway.
First, a penguin grand and regal,
One whose molt was nearly done,
A king penguin, a surprising one,
For it’s presence was barely legal.
Next were whales, fast and swift.
Minkes here, there, and everywhere.
Spraying our Zodiacs with their breaths of air.
One who nearly tried to board the ship!
Leopard seals on ice toward the end of day,
Lazily spied our boats with their smiling stare,
While one below tested for wear and tear,
Determined to add its presence to the fray.
But perhaps my favorite, was a quiet look.
From a Weddell seal that came into view
Through our splash cam and out of the blue.
An Antarctic siren, and one for the book.
Forgive my efforts at rhyme and rhythm,
But the thought was there, and my intentions well-given.
In closing of our day in Antarctica, I leave to all of you and yours an excerpt that may more aptly describe our visit today from John Clare’s poem, First Love:
“I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before.
My heart was left its dwelling-place
And can return no more.”
