We’re on our way back now from Petermann island, having moved about 2500lb of gear and set up some tents and a tent cabin. The scenery was amazing and the weather was perfect: no wind and warm sun. The exercise from hauling and digging was nice and since we had a ton of people helping, things were pretty easy and quick. There are a ton of Gentoo and a handful of Adelie penguins on the island, though it used to be the reverse. It’s an overlap of both species’ breeding ground, but the line is moving further south as the climate changes and it’s harder for the Adelies around here now. There are also Blue-eyed Shag, Giant Petrels, Sheathbills (also known as Poop Chickens since they eat penguin and seal droppings), and soon-to-arrive Skuas which feed on the penguin eggs and chicks (gotta eat cute to stay cute).
The water is so clear that you could see the groups of penguins flying underwater as we were coming in, as well as them doing their jump-swimming routine. The most amazing sight was as we arrived: a penguin was zigzagging through and leaping out of the water. Looking closer there was a dark mass, a leopard seal, chasing it. The chase went on for about a minute before it ceased with no sign of penguin or seal. Score: Penguin 0, Seal 1.The leopard seals are fierce and agile hunters, and penguins are lucky if they escape. The seals have been known to attackpeople and even Zodiacs in the water, sometime puncturing the thick rubber tubes (Zodiac, not people).
I feel becoming one of those people who take thousands of pictures of the same thing, so I'm trying reign in the number of iceberg and penguin shots. It's hard because they're both everywhere and very photogenic. We had to pass through a narrow passage to get to the island which offered cool ice formations and mirror reflections.
Wow thoose are amazing photos. Thanks for sending themout on the WWW.
Posted by: Shannon's Mom | 11/15/2007 at 08:53 PM