South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands, first discovered in 1819, took our breath away. One guest said “the scenery was fantastic” and we said “just wait until later this week.” Icebergs, penguins, five kinds of seals including huge elephant seals, which were molting on the beach, greeted us at Aitcho Island. This small group of islands lies between Greenwich Island and Robert Island.
The Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins were busy raising small chicks. We saw several nests of Gentoos with chicks that had hatched today. A small little white dot, their egg tooth, used to break their way out of the egg was visible at the end of their beaks. The downy, white fluffy chicks were well protected by the adults that were keeping them warm by sitting on them. As an adult changed position or checked what was happening in their nest we saw the adult open its bill carefully over the neck of the begging chick and regurgitate a little orange krill before sitting back down on the chick.. The Gentoos looked like they were almost in formation with everyone facing the same direction. The formation was driven by the wind with adults keeping their backs to the wind.
What a first day – penguins, icebergs, seals and landscapes that appeared to be from another world, all bathed in sunlight and warmth. We can’t attest to this continent being cold today!
The South Shetland Islands, first discovered in 1819, took our breath away. One guest said “the scenery was fantastic” and we said “just wait until later this week.” Icebergs, penguins, five kinds of seals including huge elephant seals, which were molting on the beach, greeted us at Aitcho Island. This small group of islands lies between Greenwich Island and Robert Island.
The Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins were busy raising small chicks. We saw several nests of Gentoos with chicks that had hatched today. A small little white dot, their egg tooth, used to break their way out of the egg was visible at the end of their beaks. The downy, white fluffy chicks were well protected by the adults that were keeping them warm by sitting on them. As an adult changed position or checked what was happening in their nest we saw the adult open its bill carefully over the neck of the begging chick and regurgitate a little orange krill before sitting back down on the chick.. The Gentoos looked like they were almost in formation with everyone facing the same direction. The formation was driven by the wind with adults keeping their backs to the wind.
What a first day – penguins, icebergs, seals and landscapes that appeared to be from another world, all bathed in sunlight and warmth. We can’t attest to this continent being cold today!
