We awaken to calm waters and icebergs all about. The captain skillfully brings is into Marguerite Bay. The Naturalists and other scientists load into zodiacs to explore the area of Red Rock Ridge and come back to the ship with smiles on their faces.
We are bundled up appropriately (we hope) for the -2C (36F) weather conditions. Around 9:15am our zodiac group is called. As our zodiac boat is making its way to the landing site we spot five Type B killer whales swimming together. There are also Minke whales. Amazing! Three of the Naturalists on board are studying whales. They are extremely excited. They go off in their own zodiac and are able to photograph and obtain samples from the spouting whales with their specialized drone.
We are bundled up appropriately (we hope) for the -2C (36F) weather conditions. Around 9:15am our zodiac group is called. As our zodiac boat is making its way to the landing site we spot five Type B killer whales swimming together. There are also Minke whales. Amazing! Three of the Naturalists on board are studying whales. They are extremely excited. They go off in their own zodiac and are able to photograph and obtain samples from the spouting whales with their specialized drone.
When we land at Red Rock Ridge William and I officially step onto the seventh continent we have visited. Slowly we climb up the rocky shore to visit the Adelie penguin colony. Truly amazing!
Some people from the group go on a short hike while others concentrate their efforts on penguin watching. I plop myself down on a rock to take in these wonderful birds. The chicks were hatched some time ago and now are almost the same size as the adults. They are close to the time where they will molt their soft baby feathers and grow a new set to take them through the winter.
In the afternoon the ship moves to Stonington Island for a visit to Base E. This is the location of abandoned U.S. and U.K. exploration bases. The U.S. base was used from 1960 to 1975. There is a team of six people from the U.K. Heritage Trust restoring the U.K. Base. We learn about the site and zodiac to the island to have a closer look at the base and the beauty that surrounds it.
In the afternoon the ship moves to Stonington Island for a visit to Base E. This is the location of abandoned U.S. and U.K. exploration bases. The U.S. base was used from 1960 to 1975. There is a team of six people from the U.K. Heritage Trust restoring the U.K. Base. We learn about the site and zodiac to the island to have a closer look at the base and the beauty that surrounds it.
On a small zodiac cruise we check out the icebergs. Two of them have seals on them sunning themselves.
Once on the island we first check out the U.K. Base. The restoration team has their work cut out for them. Luckily they are not living in the old base. Believe it or not they are tent camping! Good thing they are only here for ten weeks.
Once on the island we first check out the U.K. Base. The restoration team has their work cut out for them. Luckily they are not living in the old base. Believe it or not they are tent camping! Good thing they are only here for ten weeks.
We spend much of our remaining time on the island watching the glacier. As the sun changes so do the colors in it's face. For entertainment it even calves off a small iceberg for us. Delightful!
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