Going ashore at Damoy Point

First opportunity to step on Antarctica!

Landed at Damoy Point, a rocky isthmus off the west coast of Wiencke Island. There are 2 "huts" on shore. The Bahia Dorian hut, established by the Argentine Navy in 1953, and the British Damoy hut, established by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in 1975.
The British Damoy hut was used by the BAS as an air transit station to the Rothera Research Station when not accessible by sea due to ice.

My first up close encounter with penguins did not disappoint. So cute!
A "small" Gentoo Penguin colony with most of the chicks grown and the parents waiting to finish molting.

After their chicks are weened, adult penguins have a "catastrophic molt" (replace all their feathers). Molting can take 3-4 weeks, during this time they lose their insulating and waterproof feathers so they stay away from water.
More info: https://penguinsblog.com/penguins-are-the-only-…Read more