Antarctic expedition Dec. '22 - Jan. '23. Part 7

Continuing the numbering from Part 6.

This landing is at Cooper Bay in South Georgia, site of a Macaroni penguin colony that we landed to see.

83. Zodiac approaching the shore, with the 'Greg Mortimer' anchored in the bay.
Zodiac landing, Cooper Bay, South Georgia by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

84. A bit of a tricky climb up through the tussock grass. Fortunately it is strong and well rooted, doesn't have cutting blades, and provides something to grab onto when negotiating any hidden pot-holes, or stepping back from an unexpected seal pup.
Climbing through tussock grass, Cooper Bay, South Georgia by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

85. There was a Macaroni penguin rookery on a small patch of level ground on the hillside, and the expedition leaders limited us to short viewings, and 8 of us at a time so as not to spook the nesting birds. Here was the queue.
Queuing for a glimpse of Macaroni penguins, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

86. Bright yellow strands of macaroni looking very stylish.
Macaroni penguins nesting site, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

87. A fine specimen.
Macaroni penguin rookery, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

88. Strolling down to the beach. Macaroni penguins are about the size of Gentoos, with whom they share this part of the island.
Solitary Macaroni penguin walking past fur seal to the beach, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

89. This and the next few are from a zodiac ride around the nearby coastline.
Rocky shoreline, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

90.
View from a zodiac, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

91. Dr Leo our wonderful Argentinian Antarctic adventurer, zodiac driver, and one of the expedition team.
Dr Leo driving zodiac, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

92. Getting along just fine.
Gentoo and Macaroni penguins, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

93. A very fine specimen preening.
Macaroni penguin preening, Cooper Bay by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

To be continued - see Part 8.





Edited by Jozioau - 01 March 2023 at 06:46

Another set of fine pictures showing the beauty of the South Pole.
Keep them coming Joe and TFS

Michael, Domien, Heikki, thanks for the comments.

Heikki, you're correct. So far in the journey, we have travelled from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Falklands, and then South Georgia.
The Antarctic Peninsula is yet to come.
Next instalment will be a last farewell glimpse from South Georgia as we head across the Scotia Sea to Elephant Island.
As for the South Pole, that was never within reach, nor due to unforeseen circumstances did we actually cross the Antarctic Circle.

More later.

Pffff, getting more and more jealous on a trip like this.

Go on, take us with you, Joe!