Damoy Point and Palmer Station, Antarctica
Early this morning, Matt woke us with words of whales and striking scenery in Dallmann Bay, our introduction to Antarctica. Surrounded by a glacial landscape, humpback whales, perhaps fifteen different individuals, surfaced in every direction. The whales were feeding, likely on the Antarctic mainstay, krill. Surface behaviors for which humpbacks are famous - pectoral flipper flapping, swimming on their sides and their backs, and showing their flukes - delighted our early morning eyes.
Damoy Point is the site of a Gentoo penguin colony, our first penguins of the voyage. The colony’s scent, “Eau de Penguano,” hit us long before we set foot on Weincke Island. While a hearty few trekked across the rocks to a small British hut, most of us found a comfortable spot and began our course in “Penguin Watching 101,” enjoying the behaviors and interactions among these compelling birds.
Endeavour repositioned to Palmer Station during lunch. Station Manager Bob Farrell, and Laboratory Manager Kara Sucher came on board to introduce us to the U. S. Antarctic program, Palmer and current research projects at the station. In addition to exploring the facility and talking with researchers and support staff (and bringing home more than a few t-shirts and hats), most of us visited Torgersen Island, the site of an ongoing decades-long research project studying Adelie penguins.
We were pleased to host most of the Palmer population for recap and dinner, a fine opportunity for all of us to get to know one another.
These Adelie chicks, born just about two months ago have been abandoned by their parents, as is the custom with Adelies. While the adults are at sea, fattening up for their impending molt, the chicks are ready but not quite willing to take their first swim.
Early this morning, Matt woke us with words of whales and striking scenery in Dallmann Bay, our introduction to Antarctica. Surrounded by a glacial landscape, humpback whales, perhaps fifteen different individuals, surfaced in every direction. The whales were feeding, likely on the Antarctic mainstay, krill. Surface behaviors for which humpbacks are famous - pectoral flipper flapping, swimming on their sides and their backs, and showing their flukes - delighted our early morning eyes.
Damoy Point is the site of a Gentoo penguin colony, our first penguins of the voyage. The colony’s scent, “Eau de Penguano,” hit us long before we set foot on Weincke Island. While a hearty few trekked across the rocks to a small British hut, most of us found a comfortable spot and began our course in “Penguin Watching 101,” enjoying the behaviors and interactions among these compelling birds.
Endeavour repositioned to Palmer Station during lunch. Station Manager Bob Farrell, and Laboratory Manager Kara Sucher came on board to introduce us to the U. S. Antarctic program, Palmer and current research projects at the station. In addition to exploring the facility and talking with researchers and support staff (and bringing home more than a few t-shirts and hats), most of us visited Torgersen Island, the site of an ongoing decades-long research project studying Adelie penguins.
We were pleased to host most of the Palmer population for recap and dinner, a fine opportunity for all of us to get to know one another.
These Adelie chicks, born just about two months ago have been abandoned by their parents, as is the custom with Adelies. While the adults are at sea, fattening up for their impending molt, the chicks are ready but not quite willing to take their first swim.
