Petermann & Booth Islands
This morning the National Geographic Endeavour made its way through the spectacular Lemaire Channel. Ominous, moisture laden clouds clung to the towering spires and cliffs that rise straight up from the sea, as heavily crevassed glaciers and snow pour down into it.
Our morning destination was Petermann Island. The Oceanites researchers we carry on board with us now called Petermann home from 2003-2008 where they worked from a seasonal field camp. Our landing provided them with an opportunity to revisit and recount the seasons nesting colonies. Data they have been collecting for 15 years has shown that Gentoo penguin populations have been increasing where as the Adelies have been decreasing in the same amount of time. This change is thought to be caused by the sharp temperature increase occurring on the peninsula that has provided earlier snow and ice free conditions favoring the Gentoos.
All wrapped up in fresh new waterproof parkas and layers of fleece, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the soggy chicks as they shivered to keep warm in these harsh conditions. We strolled through the watermelon and lime green snow algae to get a better look at the colonies teaming with life as chicks from Gentoo and Adelie penguins mixed with nesting Blue Eyed Shags.
During the afternoon, we explored Booth Island by foot and the numerous grounded bergs by Zodiac. On shore, all three brush-tailed penguin species could be found nesting alongside each other. Long hikers made it to an overlook that was once visited by Charcot, a French explorer that visited the island in the early 1900’s mapping miles of the peninsula and conducting atmospheric studies. On the water, Zodiac tours navigated their way through a maze of grounded bergs. The blue and green hues made for wonderful photographing, contrasted with the dark skies above. Those skies later opened up on us and gave us a healthy dose of horizontal Antarctic liquid sunshine.
This morning the National Geographic Endeavour made its way through the spectacular Lemaire Channel. Ominous, moisture laden clouds clung to the towering spires and cliffs that rise straight up from the sea, as heavily crevassed glaciers and snow pour down into it.
Our morning destination was Petermann Island. The Oceanites researchers we carry on board with us now called Petermann home from 2003-2008 where they worked from a seasonal field camp. Our landing provided them with an opportunity to revisit and recount the seasons nesting colonies. Data they have been collecting for 15 years has shown that Gentoo penguin populations have been increasing where as the Adelies have been decreasing in the same amount of time. This change is thought to be caused by the sharp temperature increase occurring on the peninsula that has provided earlier snow and ice free conditions favoring the Gentoos.
All wrapped up in fresh new waterproof parkas and layers of fleece, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the soggy chicks as they shivered to keep warm in these harsh conditions. We strolled through the watermelon and lime green snow algae to get a better look at the colonies teaming with life as chicks from Gentoo and Adelie penguins mixed with nesting Blue Eyed Shags.
During the afternoon, we explored Booth Island by foot and the numerous grounded bergs by Zodiac. On shore, all three brush-tailed penguin species could be found nesting alongside each other. Long hikers made it to an overlook that was once visited by Charcot, a French explorer that visited the island in the early 1900’s mapping miles of the peninsula and conducting atmospheric studies. On the water, Zodiac tours navigated their way through a maze of grounded bergs. The blue and green hues made for wonderful photographing, contrasted with the dark skies above. Those skies later opened up on us and gave us a healthy dose of horizontal Antarctic liquid sunshine.