13th January 2009
The boat spent the night anchored at Palmer Station. This morning at about 5:30am it traveled south to pass through the Lemaire channel. This channel is often blocked by large ice bergs, but we got lucky once again and didn't have a problem getting through. The passage was thin and on either side were mountains with patches of glaciers. The passage only took about 60 minutes to travel through. It was first discovered by de Gerlache in 1898. It is a safe passage to the southern islands. Our destination was Petermann Island where Gentoo and Adelie penguins breed along witht the blue-eyed shag. The shag is related and looks very similiar to the cormorants you see on Nantucket, but these have
brilliant blue eyes.This was the first island that was covered in snow, deep snow at that. It is also the most southern point that Gentoo penguins breed. I think I have decided that the Gentoos are my favorite of the penguins i have seen. They are very animated and make a call that sounds like they are banging on a drum inside there chest with a little horn sound as well.
The penguins on this island have been studied by Oceanities for the past 5 years. They are looking at population numbers and breeding behavior. We have two Oceanited researchers on the boat. At each site that has penguins they count. They are counting nests which is quite a job in these large colonies.
This island also contains some algae. A pink and green algae that grows in the snow giving the island a colorful hue. 
Don't you just love these dirty little penguins? I am so enjoying your blog. It truly brings back wonderful memories of my trip down there. I still want to go back, even though I haven't seen anything of the rest of the world. Something mythic about that place I think. Enjoy. Nan
ReplyDeleteHi Darcie,
ReplyDeleteIts jojo from nns. I have a couple of questions one is do penguins change colors as they get older? Another question I have is do penguins breed based on tempature and do the bigger species breed in colder areas? Another question is do penguins have one designated times where they lay eggs or is it scattered among times? Lastly what is the average wingspan of a penguin. Thank you for your time.
amazing penguins! keep the amazing photos coming.
ReplyDeletedebbie m
Hi Darcie, Its Eliza from the NNS. I think it is so cool that you saw penguins. I was wondering how many species of whale come to antarctica for the krill feeding? It sounds like so much fun. Eliza
ReplyDeleteDear Darcie,
ReplyDeleteThis is Grace and Esme from NNS we had a few questions if you wouldn't mind answering them for us :)
1. Are the penguins breeding right now? If so, do they behave differently?
2. What is the cutest type of penguin you have seen so far?
3. Where are you sleeping at night, and is it uncomfortable or is it ok?
4. What typical meal for you ever since you ave reached the Arctic?
*Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us!!! :)*
Hey Darcie: Can you give us a sense of how other members of the MMA expedition are enjoying the trip? Are they having different /similar experiences and impressions from yours? Has the group bonded around cool Antarctica events? What's it like to be traveling with a group? Janet
ReplyDeleteHi Jojo-
ReplyDeletePenguins just like most birds molt. That is when they shed their old feathers for new ones. So, they do not change color with age, but gain fresh new feathers that may make them look brighter. The chicks do have different coloration than their parents. They are covered in down and do not have their adult coat yet.
Each species of penguin is different. Most of the species in the Antarctic breed during the summer months on land. However, the Emperor Penguin breeds in the winter on pack ice. Temperature has a little to do with it, but more importantly is food source. The three species of penguins I have seen breed in areas where food is abundant: krill and fish.
The Adelie, Gentoos and Chinstraps lay their eggs in November which are incubated for about 5 weeks. If a clutch is lost the Adelie will lay another clutch. If chicks are born too late then they will not be ready to be on their own by the time winter is here.
Penguins are a bit different since their wings are now flippers. Flipper length is hard to find but here are their weights and heights:
Adelie- H: 30 inches, W:11 lb
Chinstrap: H: 27-30 inches, w: 9 lbs
Gentoos: H: 30-32 inches, w: 12-13 lbs
Hi Eliza:
ReplyDeleteSix baleen whales: Blue Whale, Fin whale, Sei Whale, Minke Whale, Humpback and Great Right.
Six Toothed Whales: Sperm Whale, S. Fourtooth Whale, Southern Bottlenose, Killer Whale, Piebald Dolphin and Hourglass dolphin
The Baleen Whales are the ones that feed on the krill. In fact Blue whales can eat up to 4 tons of krill a day. The toothed whales feed on fish and squid.
Hi Grace and Esme:
ReplyDeleteI have seen three kinds of penguins: Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstraps. All of them have laid their eggs in November and now are taking care of their chicks. So, the parents are spending their time going back and forth to the sea to collect food for their young. Once the chicks have molted the parents will leave them to fend for themselves and head for water.
I think the chinstraps are the cutest because they look like they are smiling.
I am sleeping on the ship and it is very comfortable. It is like sleeping in a small hotel room. No meal is typical. in fact there is quite a spread every meal of fruit, bread and a variety of dishes. Last night we had Phillipine night and ate really good Phillipine food.
Thanks for the questoions.
Everyone is having a great time. The MMA group has not only enjoyed each others company but we have all made several new friends. Since everyone on this boat has wanting to see Antarctica in common it is very easy to enjoy each others companies. The MMA group seems just as excited as I am, some are more interested in taking photos others enjoy the hikes and kayaking.
ReplyDeleteAll in all we know we are having a trip of a lifetime.
It all seems so unbelievable from Nantucket! You are in the antartic summer, right? I can't believe you went swimming. I don't think I would have done it. I dreamt you got a sunburn! Can't wait to read the next day!~Diane
ReplyDelete