The Drake Passage
There is a rite of passage associated with travel to Antarctica. It is crossing the Drake Passage, the 600-mile stretch of water that separates the Antarctic Peninsula from Tierra del Fuego. This body of water is both feared and revered by mariners and expedition travelers alike. It has a reputation for strong winds and high seas. It is a region inhabited by the grandest of all seabirds, perhaps of all flying birds - the wandering albatross (pictured) that were seen around the Endeavour today. These birds take full advantage of the strong winds in this area to power their long distance gliding flights in search of food. So there is an upside to the weather here. Without it, we would not be able to watch and marvel at the beauty of these birds.
And so our journey southwards continues. The seawater temperature began to fall as we approached the Antarctic Convergence. This is the region where colder Antarctic water meets warmer temperate seas. We crossed this boundary this evening and entered the biogeographical realm of Antarctica. At some point tonight we will cross the latitude of 60 degrees south and enter the political realm of Antarctica. Tomorrow we hope to make landfall in the South Shetland Islands, and then we will really feel like we have arrived.
There is a rite of passage associated with travel to Antarctica. It is crossing the Drake Passage, the 600-mile stretch of water that separates the Antarctic Peninsula from Tierra del Fuego. This body of water is both feared and revered by mariners and expedition travelers alike. It has a reputation for strong winds and high seas. It is a region inhabited by the grandest of all seabirds, perhaps of all flying birds - the wandering albatross (pictured) that were seen around the Endeavour today. These birds take full advantage of the strong winds in this area to power their long distance gliding flights in search of food. So there is an upside to the weather here. Without it, we would not be able to watch and marvel at the beauty of these birds.
And so our journey southwards continues. The seawater temperature began to fall as we approached the Antarctic Convergence. This is the region where colder Antarctic water meets warmer temperate seas. We crossed this boundary this evening and entered the biogeographical realm of Antarctica. At some point tonight we will cross the latitude of 60 degrees south and enter the political realm of Antarctica. Tomorrow we hope to make landfall in the South Shetland Islands, and then we will really feel like we have arrived.
