South Shetland Islands
Our approach to Antarctica was filled with mood and mystery in the South Shetland Islands. Greg Marshall, creator of the Critter Cam system (a remote camera used for exploring the world of animals and their interaction with nature) along with two other team members were to be dropped on Livingston Island to study leopard seals in cooperation with NOAA scientists. The staff took them and their equipment ashore right after breakfast.
From there, National Geographic Explorer made her way to a much smaller island called Half Moon. This would be our first landfall of the trip and there was a choice of a long walk up to an overlook of the old abandoned Argentine base, Camara. From there a long walk was made to the chinstrap colony where other guests had begun. The raucous penguins were up a small slope. Many were protecting just-hatched chicks and were guarding them from the ever-watchful eye of the resident skuas that also call the island home. Along the beach there were also gentoo penguins and even an Adelie or two.
The weather stayed mild for the afternoon and as we came back on board the call of “whales ahead” was made and two humpback whales swam slowly by the ship and fluked several times, to our delight. It was a great way to end the day and an amazing introduction to the geographic and biologic beauty of Antarctica. The New Years Eve celebrations started early as the ship headed deeper south towards the Antarctic Peninsula.
