December 27, 2024
Today we journeyed to Palmer Station to pick up some of the scientists living in Antarctica to conduct their research.
On our way, we passed by the Lemaire Channel, but it was an incredibly cloudy morning and we could not see any of beauty at its entrance. We were not able to enter the channel itself either.
Luckily it had cleared by the time we reached the Palmer Station. While we waited for the scientists to come over in their zodiacs, we were able to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area.
I scanned the surrounding area, hoping to spy the leopard seals that sometimes chewed up those same zodiacs. I didn't see any at the time, but when zooming in on the computer later, did spot a seal that could very well be a leopard seal.
Close inspection also revealed some penguins I had not realized were there at the time. Can you spot them?
We were able to watch the scientists get in the zodiacs and come to the ship. The zodiacs would return with supplies for the station while the scientists stayed with us for a couple of days.
As we left, we did see some penguins.
Once on board, the scientists narrated our passage through the bay of Port Lockroy, pointing out some humpback whales in the brash ice (pieces of ice that drift with the sea currents, unattached to any larger object like an iceberg).
The huge whales were dwarfed by the towering mountains of ice.
We also saw some gentoo penguins porpoising in the bay. You can see their bright orange feet and beaks as they porpoise.
We entered the Neumayer Channel from Port Lockroy Bay. There was beautiful scenery, penguins and whale.
This looked like someone had carved out a doorway in the snow.
Often the snowy hills lining the channel would appear to have blue veins, especially near the water. The blue is because the dense ice absorbs longer wave lengths that make colors like red and transmit the blue which has shorter waves.
It was fun watching the penguins waddle and slide around the ice on this large iceberg.
When you see a whale's tail disappear beneath the water, it's doing a deeper dive and you won't see it again for a while.
This penguin was swimming instead of porpoising.
It was interesting to be able to hear the whales so clearly as we watched them from our room's verandah. The sound really carried!
Another whale showed its tail.
The low clouds gave an aura of mystery to the landscape.
I kept my eyes out on the lower rockier areas we passed for penguins. Can you spot them?
There were also penguins beyond the brash ice.
Watching the different icebergs and ice formations was always fun.
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