At Sea, The Scotia Sea
Today has brought us beautiful bright blue seas, decorated lightly with peaks of white spray and pintado petrels careening wildly on the wind. It’s a fine day in the Scotia Sea, with birdwatchers and photographers alike appreciating the wonderful views of a variety of seabirds in flight.
We are now in the company of albatrosses, with five species seen today — black-browed, grey-headed, light-mantled sooty, royal, and the largest of all, the wandering albatross. While the pintado petrels (also known as Cape or painted petrels) zoom around like speedy sports cars, the albatross soar above and around us with grace and elegance.
With a 20 knot wind out of the WSW, we are making good speed on an easterly heading on our way towards South Georgia. At approximately 17:30 we have cruised 850 nautical miles from Ushuaia, and though we are traveling through what has been called the “Screaming 50’s,” we have been enjoying pleasant seas.
This day’s programs have briefed us well for the days ahead with talks on the “Winds, Currents & Productivity of the Southern Ocean” by Steve Maclean, “Geology of the South Atlantic Islands” by Jason Kelley, and Mike Greenfelder’s “Penguins: They Really Can Fly!” along with “Photo Essentials: Mastering Exposure” by Jack Swenson, and breakout sessions with the photo team.
With another impromptu jazz performance in the Bistro Bar to wrap up the evening, it was a perfectly enjoyable day at sea.
