Drake Passage & Point Wild, Elephant Island
Another relatively calm day for the Drake Passage and a "no brake on the Drake" had us quickly heading towards Point Wild on Elephant Island. Cooler waters meant less albatrosses, but several cape pigeons, some white chinned petrels and even one chinstrap penguin appeared. Early morning fin whale sightings were followed by seeing many long-finned pilot whales.
Karen gave us a presentation on penguins with such concepts as converging evolution, heat conservation as well as how penguins keep cool. Bud and Lisa talked on the role of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators and us in helping to preserve the Antarctic.
Steve talked on winds, currents and the productivity of the Southern Ocean. His explanation of the West Wind Drift helped the afternoon when, after cruising Point Wild, the question was asked why Shackleton and his five companions did not go the shorter distance to Deception Island.
In unusually bright sunny weather (for Elephant Island), the captain brought the National Geographic Endeavour close in to Point Wild. We cruised around the Point in heaving swell, and contemplated the cold existence of Shackleton's 22 men who, for four months in the middle of winter, lived under two boats on a narrow spit of land.
Roars from falling glacial ice added to the atmosphere as did the smell of thousands of chinstrap penguins. The chinstraps hopped in and out of the sea on to slippery rocks whilst the rookery was patrolled by pure white sheathbills and skuas. Cape pigeons flew by as we photographed the historic spot which included the bust to Piloto Pardo of Chile who captained the ship that finally rescued Shackleton's 22 men.
A lively recap centered on the afternoon's zodiac activity and Tim's photographs from the 3 days of the trip so far.
Another relatively calm day for the Drake Passage and a "no brake on the Drake" had us quickly heading towards Point Wild on Elephant Island. Cooler waters meant less albatrosses, but several cape pigeons, some white chinned petrels and even one chinstrap penguin appeared. Early morning fin whale sightings were followed by seeing many long-finned pilot whales.
Karen gave us a presentation on penguins with such concepts as converging evolution, heat conservation as well as how penguins keep cool. Bud and Lisa talked on the role of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators and us in helping to preserve the Antarctic.
Steve talked on winds, currents and the productivity of the Southern Ocean. His explanation of the West Wind Drift helped the afternoon when, after cruising Point Wild, the question was asked why Shackleton and his five companions did not go the shorter distance to Deception Island.
In unusually bright sunny weather (for Elephant Island), the captain brought the National Geographic Endeavour close in to Point Wild. We cruised around the Point in heaving swell, and contemplated the cold existence of Shackleton's 22 men who, for four months in the middle of winter, lived under two boats on a narrow spit of land.
Roars from falling glacial ice added to the atmosphere as did the smell of thousands of chinstrap penguins. The chinstraps hopped in and out of the sea on to slippery rocks whilst the rookery was patrolled by pure white sheathbills and skuas. Cape pigeons flew by as we photographed the historic spot which included the bust to Piloto Pardo of Chile who captained the ship that finally rescued Shackleton's 22 men.
A lively recap centered on the afternoon's zodiac activity and Tim's photographs from the 3 days of the trip so far.
