<\/p>\n
On the voyage south across the Drake toward the Antarctic peninsula, the sighting of the first iceberg was a momentous event, marking our arrival to a world that people only suspected or imagined a little over a hundred or so years ago.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the two previous images, the first gentoo is just waddling around. \u00a0Perhaps to go to the beach for lunch. \u00a0The second image shows one of the funnier traits of the gentoo. \u00a0Kleptomania. \u00a0They’re compulsive thieves. \u00a0This one has just stolen a small pebble from a neighboring bird’s rock nest (they will not<\/u> nest on snow), and is taking it back to the family nest. \u00a0Pebbles and small rocks are penguin lucre. \u00a0Cash. \u00a0Moolah. \u00a0And on rocky Barrientos, it’s easier to steal a rock than go find one. \u00a0All the good rocks have already been found, anyway.<\/p>\n
The image below seems to represent a typical penguin nesting area here on the peninsula. \u00a0It consists of a rocky nest, with one of the parent penguins (they take turns), and one or two chicks. They are\u00a0strategically placed,\u00a0with great care, to allow 1) toddling room between nests, plus 2) enough room – maybe 1cm – to avoid getting pecked by the neighbors as you toddle through, and 3) \u00a0room to lift your cute little brushy tail… and squirt to your heart’s content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A penguin has an outer coat of very tiny, but thick, oily feathers, that cover a down layer beneath. \u00a0Keeps it dry and warm. \u00a0Sometimes, a bit too warm when the temperature rises and hovers around -2C gasp, pant… \u00a0They react by dilating their vessels in their wings to rid them of excess heat.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
These gentoos, having no nesting area on the beach (too close to predation) begin the hike up a snowy hill in the quest for nesting areas, leaving behind a prodigious pink penguin poo path that marks their progress. \u00a0POO.<\/p>\n
The skua gull is Chief-in-Charge of Antarctic clean-up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Snowy Sheathbills are the only bird species in Antarctica that doesn’t have webbed feet. They roost well up the\u00a0cliff-sides\u00a0out of harm’s way… and oddly enough, usually on one foot. \u00a0Well adapted to the Antarctic, they eat anything. \u00a0Eggs, chicks, fish, dead stuff, yes..penguin poo, krill, and even algae. \u00a0Mmmm good.<\/p>\n
All these thoughts of food were making me really hungry. \u00a0Lucky for me it was time to leave Aitcho and head for the ship. \u00a0And supper. \u00a0Ohhhh, I’m hoping that the chef will regurgitate something really tasty. \u00a0And kind of soupy. \u00a0And warm. \u00a0Mmmmmm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
…and and gave us a brief tour of the iceberg that Sea Spirit<\/i>\u00a0had dropped anchor near…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Even prettier up close and personal…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This was a free floating berg. \u00a0The water, at -1C is generally warmer than the air above, thus the berg slowly melts from below. \u00a0The ice gradually becomes lighter and floats higher in the water, producing the “age lines” seen above.<\/p>\n
This evening, at the bar, I’m in a quiet, pensive mood. \u00a0I finally determined that I’m in a state of visual overload, unable to process all that I’ve seen. \u00a0One more sip, and off to dinner with those rowdy-assed Aussies.<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
South Shetland Islands, Aitcho Island On the voyage south across the Drake toward the Antarctic peninsula, the sighting of the first iceberg was a momentous event, marking our arrival to a world that people only suspected or imagined a little over a hundred or so years ago. First Iceberg spotted! It was a time of … <\/p>\n