As the National Geographic Explorer continued her push toward South Georgia, all onboard were pleasantly surprised and relieved by the smooth and gentle motion created by the following seas and wind. Early-risers who went to the bridge were treated to great views of a wide variety of Southern Ocean seabirds. By breakfast time we had seen eleven species, from the largest albatross to the smallest storm petrel, including the favorite of many bird enthusiasts, a most graceful aerialist, the Light-mantled Albatross.
At 9:15 Dr. Steve Mclean concluded his two part presentation on the amazing story of survival of Shackleton and his men during the Imperial Transantarctic Expedition of 1914-1916. A bit later we had Doug Gualtieri’s talk on the biology of the penguins and other avian life we expect to see upon our arrival on the shores of South Georgia. After a delicious Mexican themed lunch we all gathered in the lounge for the mandatory South Georgia briefing followed by a decontamination of all our boots, outer wear, and gear. By teatime we were rounding the western tip of the island where the mountains provided a lee, flattening out the sea surface before us. After tea, Ian Strachan introduced us the pinnipeds(seals and fur seals) of South Georgia to acquaint us with the animals we will encounter during our visit there.
Shortly before our recap and supper the National Geographic Explorer anchored in quiet Rosita Harbor for the night. All but the faintest ship’s lights were turned off to avoid confusing the hundreds of thousands of prions and other seabirds that come and go from nest-to-sea and back again during the darkness of night.
