The Ocean
From the very outset we have been reminded that this is an expedition where we will experience transitions and changes. Today was one such day. Let us look at the sea temperatures these past twenty-four hours, they started at 4.6 C and ended at 7.6 C. The air temperatures showed the same trend commencing just above freezing and heading up to a balmy 6 C. The seabirds have also accompanied us today, albeit in much smaller numbers than yesterday and even here there was an interesting shift, for we saw Light-mantled Sooty Albatross as well as a new species for the trip, the Dark-mantled Sooty Albatross. We have indeed made a huge transition this day, for we have left the Southern Ocean via the Antarctic Convergence and entered the southern portion of the Atlantic Ocean!
The day begun with the release of a Kerguelen Petrel which had accidentally fallen on the bow of the ship. Richard let us all see it on the aft deck and told us about this remarkable bird which has made its home here on the Southern Ocean. When it came to the moment for it to fly off it remained momentarily in Richard’s hands before heading off again and soon disappearing from sight. This is then followed by a series of lecture presentations and other activities that enrich our expedition.
Throughout the day the seascapes have been astonishing and they belie description. Grey, grey and grey. Silver patches open up and pause on the water and then they are gone … no they appear again elsewhere and elsewhere and elsewhere. The gentle swells, moving from different origins, meet for an instant and rise up as if vying with each other and then after a moment head off again endlessly, remorselessly, restlessly into the vastness. The clouds like corrugated sheets stretch over the heavens and cover the whole like a mantle. This monochrome vastness is only broken in the west by a slither of pale yellow brightness where the sunlight has been allowed to witness and share in this amazing experience.
