12/24
We began our scenic cruise through Antarctica on Christmas Eve. We went to Elephant Island, but sadly saw none of the elephant seals that often congregate there. Likely this was because we could not venture all the way around with the fog and ice conditions. We did see several chinstrap penguins lining the shores from a distance though.
Elephant Island was first mapped by the British in 1820 and mapped by the Russians in 1821. Almost a hundred years later in, it provided refuge to Shackleton and his men when their ship stuck in the ice of the Weddell Sea on their 1914 expedition to Antarctica. A statue and plaque commemorating them is placed on the island although we were unable to see it.
Our first sight of the penguins was on an iceberg as we approached Elephant Island. (They are the little black dots.)
As we neared Elephant Island, large colonies were scattered across the shores and high peaks of the highland.
A few were making the long trek up the snowy field from the ocean to higher ground.
Although to us, the penguins were difficult to see - even with my zoom lens, the passengers on the expedition ship were able to take zodiacs for an up-close view. Likely they were able to see the monument to Shackleton as well. When we first went to Antarctica in 2013, we did an expedition ship (although we went to different places). It was a very different experience than cruising on a large ship. You saw a lot more and got to actually walk on the shores of Antarctica. The larger ship cruise is still beautiful and very relaxing, but you don't get up close with the wildlife.
Large icebergs floated near the island. Some with penguins on them like the first we saw.
There were also several seabirds flying over the water as we visited Elephant Island.
The pintado (painted) petrel often follows ships for hours in the southern oceans.
Some black browed albatross were also in the waters by the ship. They live their life in the air and sea, only coming to land to breed.
If you look closely, you can spot the chinstrap penguins porpoising among the other sea birds.
A whale also made an appearance. I only caught its tail among the seabirds as it dove down.
We were also able to see Endurance Glacier (named for the ordeal of Shackleton and his men when stranded on Elephant Island.)
Comments