Half Moon Island, South Shetlands
As the full moon set and the morning sun rose over a glassy smooth Southern Ocean, early risers were well rewarded for their decision to visit the bridge. Whale biologist Bob Pitman was spotting fin whales as they appeared over the horizon many miles ahead, their tall misty spouts hung in the clear air backlight by the rising sun. Increasing numbers of albatrosses, prions and petrels along with some hourglass dolphins signaled that the National Geographic Explorer was approaching the extremely productive boundary along Antarctica’s continental shelf. Here nutrient rich waters are drawn to the surface from the depths by strong winds and opposing currents.
After breakfast everybody attended the mandatory briefing about our expected behavior as responsible visitors to the pristine environment before us. Soon after the great ice caps and snow covered mountains of the South Shetland Islands began to appear, the first big ice berg was spotted. Flocks of foraging penguins escorted our ship as we made our way to our first landing by a chinstrap penguin colony on Half Moon Island. Some chose to hike several miles around to the small Argentine scientific installation and back, while the rest were content to stay close to the colony and witness the exciting activity there. By 6 p.m. we were all back aboard for the Captain’s welcome cocktail party, introduction to the ships officers, and welcome dinner.
It has been a fine introduction to the Earth’s greatest wilderness.
