At Sea
The Drake Passage gently rocks our sturdy ship, as National Geographic Endeavour heads North towards Tierra del Fuego. The air temperature continues to rise, 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, has been with us since last night, grounded temporarily due to lack of wind, now happy for the sea breeze that pushes us along as well. What amazing birds, staying out upon the sea for years at a time, finding everything they need on the wind and waves, except for 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, and the comical flipper slapping on the waters surface with ensues. 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. Kayaking in the sunshine, our backdrop that of glaciers and icebergs.
But the terrestrial world is not the only one we have experienced, as the undersea world of Antarctica is full of incredible animals 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 often 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 all abundant and offer an incredible splash of light to what is typically a black and white world. The anemone pictured here is attached to the sunken hull of a the Govenoren, a whaling factory ship which sank in 1915. Wrecks like these make wonderfully protected environments for creatures to hold on to and thrive. Many fish in Antarctica, like the rock-cod pictured here, have anti-freeze proteins in their blood, which attach to ice crystals, rather than allowing the ice crystals attach to live tissue, which is how the fish can survive such a harsh 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." And although Antarctica has touched us all in many different ways, the mental pictures will last throughout our lifetime, and perhaps inspire others to come and visit the last great wilderness on earth.
The Drake Passage gently rocks our sturdy ship, as National Geographic Endeavour heads North towards Tierra del Fuego. The air temperature continues to rise, 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, has been with us since last night, grounded temporarily due to lack of wind, now happy for the sea breeze that pushes us along as well. What amazing birds, staying out upon the sea for years at a time, finding everything they need on the wind and waves, except for 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, and the comical flipper slapping on the waters surface with ensues. 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. Kayaking in the sunshine, our backdrop that of glaciers and icebergs.
But the terrestrial world is not the only one we have experienced, as the undersea world of Antarctica is full of incredible animals 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 often 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 all abundant and offer an incredible splash of light to what is typically a black and white world. The anemone pictured here is attached to the sunken hull of a the Govenoren, a whaling factory ship which sank in 1915. Wrecks like these make wonderfully protected environments for creatures to hold on to and thrive. Many fish in Antarctica, like the rock-cod pictured here, have anti-freeze proteins in their blood, which attach to ice crystals, rather than allowing the ice crystals attach to live tissue, which is how the fish can survive such a harsh 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." And although Antarctica has touched us all in many different ways, the mental pictures will last throughout our lifetime, and perhaps inspire others to come and visit the last great wilderness on earth.
