• David and Jane KirkpatrickAntarctica and PatagoniaTraveler
    Almost mature male Elephant seal
    Big bellow - see the cuts and scars on his neck from fightingPetrel chick - the tube on its beak is for excreting salt water absorbed from fish eatenMale fur sealCombatants(C Jamie)Penguin tracks in the snowHalf Moon CoveChinstrapNote the water beading on its feathersClaw toes for gripping ice and rockThe travails of being a penguin

    Elephant Beach/Half Moon Cove

    February 18 in Antarctica ⋅ 🌬 2 °C

    I was a bit premature saying yesterday was our last day in Antarctica as South Shetland Islands are still part of the archipelago so today was our last expedition day.
    Elephant beach as the name implies is home to a large colony of male elephant seals - the biggest we’ve seen by far. We were treated to a display of fighting by two young bull elephants - rearing up and slamming into each other with their jaws open. Watched the short video to really get an idea of the intensity of the conflict.
    Then in the afternoon a quick trip to a Chinstrap penguin colony at Half Moon Cove.
    And that was a wrap - three weeks of exploring and seeing unique wildlife and landscapes.
    Now battening down our cabins for the Drake Passage crossing!    Read more