Leopard Seal ... yawning and showing us its teeth — Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Afternoon ship's cruise — Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Caribbean colors — Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Reflections and color — Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Emperor penguins returning from feeding ... afternoon ship's cruise — Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Newly returned from feeding — Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

RWSE Day 22: Ship’s Pack Ice Cruise #2

March 4, Southern Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 28 °F

It was already past the noon hour and lunch was underway by the time we returned to Ortelius. We quickly removed our extra layers and headed to the dining room for a quick bite. And then out on deck to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife.

Though the skies were more overcast than they had been during the morning, the conditions did not detract from our pleasure in all that was around us. The ice was once again a mix of solid older ice and opaque, thinner ice that was just forming. There were emperor penguins porpoising in the water; and also a rather large group that was returning from their feeding foray. A couple of leopard seals on nearby ice floes also provided good photo ops.

As we were enjoying the ship’s cruise through the ice, EL Sara came on the P/A with good news. Captain Remmert had found a safe patch of open water with even more emperor penguin activity. Another zodiac cruise was going to be launched.

As a cheer went up around us at this news, Mui and I were already on our way to the cabin to bundle up.Read more