(Connection is very slow, so photo markers are in, and pictures to follow)
(Updated 2/18: pictures are in)
Our planned landing for this morning was scuttled when a giant iceberg disintegrated in front of the landing area. To top that, there were katabatic winds (doesn't sound good, does it) coming off the land. Katabatic winds are caused by denser, colder air rushing down off the polar plateau toward the coast. They can get up to 320km/h. So we went to plan B, Cuverville Island.
The landing at Cuverville was interesting in that I got off the zodiac and landed in a tide pool. The tide pool area was rather large, very rocky, with red kelp. In some of the inner pools there were crustaceans (small ones) and leeches (tiny). Sitting/bathing on the larger rocks were quite a few fur seals. Penguins were marching from the snow on the mountain down to the water. I got to see how penguins clean themselves off before they head to sea for fishing. I got some interesting wildlife shots, including this fur seal.
Penguin in the tide pool:
Penguin going in for a swim:
After hanging around in the tide pool area for at least a good hour I went up the hill to walk on the snow and check out some of the Gentoo rookeries on the island. The gentoos here look better than the onces I saw at Dorian last week. But the chicks are still late so it remains to be seen how many will survive the winter.
Penguin Chicks:
My nephew climbed up behind the rookeries (not directly behind them) and went sledding down a pretty decent sized hill. Looked like fun, but i was busy snapping this penguin family:
Happy Feet:
Skua and Penguin aka Predator and Prey:
Off to Port Lockeroy (2nd attempt)...
PS - there is a blizzard outside. Crazy snow, wind at 30 knots...
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