Penguins Galore in Antarctica: Part I

For those of us residing in the Midwest, the winter of 2013-2014 has been especially harsh. The frigid sub-zero temperatures and continuous record-breaking snowfall have brought memories of my February 2006 Antarctica trip to the forefront. Though birding and photography had yet to become passionate hobbies of mine, I hope readers will find this trip down memory lane of interest.

~  Days 1, 2 & 3 ~

Our adventures began as we departed from Ushuaia, the southern most tip of Argentina. After a day and a half of sailing through the formidable Drake Passage, we geared ourselves up, boarded zodiac boats and motored out to our first destination, Aitcho Island. What captured our attention immediately was the multitude of penguins inhabiting the island. We observed Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins everywhere, each clustered on their own respective high points. Thousands of downy chicks squawked, shoved and hastily waddled about demanding food from their weary parents. The staff allowed us to explore the island and observe the 14,000 pair of penguins and various other birds such as Southern Giant Petrels, Antarctic Skuas and Snowy Sheathbills.

Gentoo Penguins on Aitcho Island

A Gentoo Penguin parent feeds its insistent, hungry offspring

A gathering of aptly named Chinstrap Penguins atop a cliff overlooking the Southern Ocean (the red tinged terrain is the result of penguin guano and krill droppings)

Two guano stained Chinstrap chicks seek regurgitated krill from the parent penguin

A Snowy Sheathbill wanders on the craggy island surface

Snowy Sheathbills are Antarctica's only land-based bird. An opportunistic scavenger, these birds will eat almost anything they can locate and/or steal. Snatching foods from penguins is a common practice. Snowy Sheathbills also forage along the shoreline seeking fish, invertebrates, carcasses and any other scrap or refuse they can find.

An Antarctic Skua on the mossy island of Aitcho

During breeding season, these very aggressive birds are known for stealing food from other birds (petrels and albatross) in midair and also preying on penguin eggs and vulnerable penguin chicks. Some skuas can be found hanging around seal and sea lion colonies. They feed on placentas, deceased pups and feces.

~ Day 4 ~

The next day we entered the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, an area known for its spectacular scenery. Our first landing was at Paulet Island where we observed many small icebergs and blue bergy bits that had eroded into interesting shapes. On this island, we had a chance to wander around and see vast numbers of hungry Adélie Penguins. The chicks would solicit food from almost any adult penguin that passed their way, but the adults only feed their own offspring. Sometimes the adult penguins would run from their own chicks in order to avoid the hungry mouths of unrelated youngsters. In turn, the blood related chick joins the chase attempting to obtain its daily dose of requisite sustenance. The result is a hilarious helter-skelter sprint around the rookery until the parent eventually relents and allows the chicks to feed. 

Adélie Penguins and spectacular scenery observed from Paulet Island

At lunch we anchored at Brown Bluff. There we took note of many Weddell and Fur Seals hauled out on the beach. Weddell Seals are true ice seals that spend their whole lives in the Antarctic. Once again, we observed an abundance of penguins. In early February, the young penguins start to molt their baby chick feathers, thus they sport very silly looking Mohawk and shag hairstyles.

An Adélie Penguin shows off its distinctive white eye ring

Adélie Penguin chicks in various stages of the molting process

Another breathtaking scene

Two Fur Seals soak up the sun

A snoozing Weddell Seal enjoys a lazy day

Adélie Penguins romp around the blue ice sculptures

~ Day 5 ~

Our next excursion took us to Mikkelson Harbor where we stepped onto a rocky island filled with Gentoo Penguins and Fur and Leopard Seals. Hundreds of huge bleached whale bones littered the shore creating an interesting texture to the landscape.

Gentoo Penguins waddle along the shoreline of Mikkelson Harbor

Exploring the scattered whale bones ~ Gentoo Penguin chicks

Two very photogenic subjects ~ Fur Seal and Antarctic Skua

Later in the day, we boarded the boats and set off on our first zodiac tour. This excursion took place in a pristine area known as the "Iceberg Graveyard". It was filled with gorgeous icebergs of every shape and size. Each berg looked like a stunning work of art, one more intricately carved than the next. On our zodiacs, we wove in and out through the wind-carved sculptures, gasping in awe at the breathtaking sights.

One of the many seals seen lounging atop ice formations

To be continued ...

Please check back on March 2nd for a post on the second part of my spectacular trip to Antarctica.

Post by Julie Gidwitz
Nature's Splendor ~ http://naturessplendor-julie.blogspot.com/