It took us 2.5 days to get from Punta Arenas to the South Shetland Islands. Crossing the Drake we had sunny days and calm seas. Our first order of business was to re-supply two field camps. One is located on King George Island and the other is on Livingston Island. Both of these field camps are part of the AMLR program doing research on Antarctic predators, penguins and fur seals. Researchers had been at the field camps since Oct. When we arrived in Jan it was the first time they gotten fresh supplies. They were very happy to see us.Copacabana on King George Island (aka Copa)
The field camp is on the beach just to the right of the phallic rock. Those of you that have been kayaking with True North should also be able to pick out "Southern Elephant rock". The beach between Copa and the glacier is all penguin colony. On the zodiac ride from the boat to the beach we were escorted by many porpoising penguins. I was impressed with their speed in the water, and laughed a lot to see them swimming about doing what penguins do.
The Jacobs ladder.I personally loved getting in and out of the zodiac, I should add that I never had to do it in angry seas. When getting in or out you had to time it with the swell. For example on the way down the people before you would tell you which rung to stop on, even if it was 6ft above the zodiac, then you waited. When the swell brought the zodiac to your feet you stepped off, but go quick because the swell is about to fall again. As I said, it was good fun.
A closer look at Copa. photos by Joelle Sweeney
Copa from above. To the left is the outer edge of the Gentoo penguin colony. I am standing with Kristen Green, another MLML student who has been at Copa since Oct. It was great to see her and all that she has been doing.
This is what 3 months of produce for three people looks like. The boxes above and below the last shelves also are full of produce.It didn't take us too long to haul all the supplies up the beach and unpack everything. Then we got to explore and the kind folks at Copa made us a fabulous lunch.
Another look at the penguin colony next to buildings, they are mostly Gentoos.Penguins every where! And there are fewer now than there were a few months ago, the chicks are getting all grown up and their parents have started leaving them. photo by Joelle Sweeney
This photo is also by Joelle, unfortunately my camera battery died shortly after landing on the beach. Big thanks to eveyone for sharing their photos and letting me take pictures with their cameras.Adelie penguin colonies above Copa. You can tell it is an Adelie colony by the red color of the ground around the colony. The color comes from their poop, they eat krill and it shows. Earlier in the season the colony was as large as the outline in red.
You have to forgive me, I don't remember all the names of the folks in the back ground, we met a lot that day, but the two in the front are Jasmine and Joelle.
Adelie Penguin, photo by Kim Dietrich. Check out those fluffy chicks.
Adelie feet! photo by Kim Dietrich.
The view from the main building at Copa. Penguins don't really know what to do when they get to the bridge. Some will walk across it, some get in the water and swim across. A few start to cross it then seem to panic and falter at the edge "should I jump in the water!?!". It is all very entertaining to the human observer. photo by Joelle Sweeney
Me, Kristen, and Joelle enjoying the sunshine and watching Adelie penguins.
Close up of an Adelie.
Life in Antarctica is ruff. After leaving Copa we did a zodiac tour of the bay, stopping at this glacial spit for a rest.
Time to head back to the Yuzmo. Joelle is happy with the thought of hot chocolate in her near future.The next day we stopped at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. They mostly study fur seals at Shirreff, but also have on-going studies of Leopard seals, elephant seals, and the local penguin colonies. Shirreff isnt as green as Copa, as you can see.
We didnt have time to explore here, there was a lot more gear to unload. Lucky for us there are fur seals all over the place between where the boat lands and the camp. I'll get some of those pics up soon this post is long enough.
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