Weddell Sea, Snow Hill Island

Rodrigo Moterani, Video Chronicler

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  • Daily Expedition Reports
  • 16 Nov 2021

Weddell Sea, Snow Hill Island , 11/16/2021, National Geographic Explorer

  • Aboard the National Geographic Explorer
  • Antarctica

The entrance to the Weddell Sea was surprisingly clear of ice for a visit this early in the season, and we fully took advantage of the opportunity to sail well south of what is normally possible at this time of the year. When we finally found the fast ice, south of Snow Hill Island, we sighted what we were looking for. Scattered here and there were groups of emperor penguins, from the only colony known in this section of Antarctica. But the best was yet to come. By the end of the day the wind died down completely and we found sea ice that was firm enough for us to walk on. Within minutes, a group of raucous emperor penguins found us and approached for a memorable encounter with these near mythical birds!

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Santiago Imberti, Naturalist

An ornithologist, photographer, fisherman, climber, and writer, Santiago Imberti was born and raised in southern Patagonia, Argentina. He obtained a degree in tourism and later in ornithology, which allowed him to combine his love for nature and the ...

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Rodrigo Moterani, Video Chronicler

Rodrigo Moterani was born in Brazil, where he still lives. After spending his teen years playing with camcorders and VCRs, Rodrigo ended up working in the field of television journalism and video production in his home country. He graduated with a de...

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