After navigating north all night from south of the Antarctic Circle we began our day in the Penola Strait region. Pléneau and the neighboring islands, Petermann and Booth, form a dynamic funnel of currents trapping massive icebergs making for a dramatic setting to explore. Landing on Pléneau we encountered our first gentoo penguin colony, bustling with chicks preparing to fledge and adults beginning their molt. Zodiacs cruised the waters amongst the icebergs, spotting crabeater seals, Antarctic fur seals, and many seabirds. After transiting the picturesque Lemaire Channel before lunch we would spend our afternoon visiting the restored and historic Base “A” at Port Lockroy. Our day concluded with an intimate encounter of type B2 killer whales in the fading light of Antarctic autumn.