At Sea
The Southern Ocean gently rocks our sturdy ship, as National Geographic Endeavour heads northeast towards South Georgia. The air temperature has risen, and we have picked up a host of Albatross. The Wandering Albatross, largest of all sea birds, glides gracefully on the wind around the ship. Black-Browed Albatross, the Wanderer's smaller cousin, have been with us since last night, happy for the stiff sea breeze that pushes us along as well. What amazing birds - staying at sea for years at a time, finding everything they need on the wind and waves, except a stable place to nest.
Throughout our expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, we have continually been entranced by the wildlife we have come across. Not only the birds soaring majestically in the air, but a host of other pictures ingrained in our minds: the ever growing penguin chicks, chasing their parents for one of their last meals, tripping and tumbling, but forever persistent. The first swim for this year's chicks, still spotted with fluffy down wreaking havoc on their buoyancy - comical flipper-slapping swim on the water’s surface. A leopard seal gliding gracefully through the water, investigating the Zodiacs closely, not in a menacing way (although with that reptilian-like smile, it could be misunderstood), but curious as to what all those “things” sitting on top of the water are doing.
The terrestrial world is not the only one we have experienced, as the undersea world of Antarctica is full of incredible creatures as well. Above the surface, Antarctica is a mix of whites, browns, and blacks, devoid of any major vegetation. However, the benthic community is second to none in colors and diversity. Although the water is below freezing, it has an incredible amount of nutrients dissolved in it, and the strong currents which surround the peninsula bring food to the many filter feeders which line the cracks and crevices of rocks, or are found on the ice-protected walls. Blues, purples, yellows, reds and oranges are abundant and offer an incredible splash of light to what is typically a black and white world. James Clark Ross perhaps said it best: "...feelings of indescribable delight upon the scene of grandeur and magnificence far beyond anything we had before seen or could be conceived."
We now say final farewell to Antarctica, but our melancholy feelings are replaced by apprehension, excitement, and wonderment. South Georgia, for many of us the pinnacle of our expedition, and a world unto itself, lies ahead.
The Southern Ocean gently rocks our sturdy ship, as National Geographic Endeavour heads northeast towards South Georgia. The air temperature has risen, and we have picked up a host of Albatross. The Wandering Albatross, largest of all sea birds, glides gracefully on the wind around the ship. Black-Browed Albatross, the Wanderer's smaller cousin, have been with us since last night, happy for the stiff sea breeze that pushes us along as well. What amazing birds - staying at sea for years at a time, finding everything they need on the wind and waves, except a stable place to nest.
Throughout our expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, we have continually been entranced by the wildlife we have come across. Not only the birds soaring majestically in the air, but a host of other pictures ingrained in our minds: the ever growing penguin chicks, chasing their parents for one of their last meals, tripping and tumbling, but forever persistent. The first swim for this year's chicks, still spotted with fluffy down wreaking havoc on their buoyancy - comical flipper-slapping swim on the water’s surface. A leopard seal gliding gracefully through the water, investigating the Zodiacs closely, not in a menacing way (although with that reptilian-like smile, it could be misunderstood), but curious as to what all those “things” sitting on top of the water are doing.
The terrestrial world is not the only one we have experienced, as the undersea world of Antarctica is full of incredible creatures as well. Above the surface, Antarctica is a mix of whites, browns, and blacks, devoid of any major vegetation. However, the benthic community is second to none in colors and diversity. Although the water is below freezing, it has an incredible amount of nutrients dissolved in it, and the strong currents which surround the peninsula bring food to the many filter feeders which line the cracks and crevices of rocks, or are found on the ice-protected walls. Blues, purples, yellows, reds and oranges are abundant and offer an incredible splash of light to what is typically a black and white world. James Clark Ross perhaps said it best: "...feelings of indescribable delight upon the scene of grandeur and magnificence far beyond anything we had before seen or could be conceived."
We now say final farewell to Antarctica, but our melancholy feelings are replaced by apprehension, excitement, and wonderment. South Georgia, for many of us the pinnacle of our expedition, and a world unto itself, lies ahead.
