Drake Passage

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As we begin this last post, the ship is located approximately half way between Antarctica and tip of South America. Yes, of course, we're rocking and rolling, but so far not as bad as the journey south. Post will be devoted to Deception Island, including four absolutely adorable pinguins. This island is an "active" volcano, and we sailed right into the caldera! Honest Abe, and we have pix to prove it.

Sailing along the Beagle Channel on 6 February took a few pictures and this is the end of our trip. Happy trails everyone.

Bird & HP

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Photos

Deception Island
Rough map of island. Notice the solitary entrance, a wonderfully protected harbor for early explorers and whalers.

Basalt
Notice the basalt that was, we imagine, rapidly cooled by the ocean during an eruption. Our initial clue the island was of volcanic origin.

Entrance
Just around the corner of the basalt is the entrance. Left side is shallow; captain hung quite close to the right.

Basalt
Same Basalt from just inside the entrance.

Just Inside the Caldera
Cleared the entrance. Rather expansive inside.

Volcanic Beach
Island is sixty percent glaciated, but heat from the volcano precludes ice here. Steam even rises from a few locations. Well, since the wimp refused the initial opportunity to view Chinstraps at South Shetlands, he was determined to locate some here. While the rest of the passengers struck off inland, the wimp traveled along the coast. Initially, he walked past the pictured hill that almost reaches the water searching the other side for penguins. Nothing doing. Dejected, he returned to the landing spot.

Other Direction
Expressing his disheartenment at locating pinguins in the other direction, an expedition team member advised it would be more likely to locate some in the other direction than where all the activity is occurring at the landing site. Duh, (yes, I was thinking smart ass, yet believe it or not, my waging tongue was motionless). With nothing else to do our wimp briskly moved out. Yes, long, long walk but thankfully several clean rocks for rest along the way. Awhile after rounding the corner, a shape resembling a penguin came into view. Walking rapidly, the penguin sighting was confirmed. But the infernal animal was traveling at his top speed in the opposite direction. The wimp persevered at his top walking speed and closed the distance.

The Penguin Sighting
Penguin moving in the wrong direction.

Company Arrives
Three more penguins emerge from the surf. And I just noticed something, the wrong way fella is not a Chinstrap, he's a Gentoo.

Greeting Dance?
The three surf emergers dancing with the Gentoo? After all that walking, the Chinstraps and Gentoo present their reward.

Well No
Gentoo turns a cold shoulder to Chinstraps.

Rapprochement?
The four penguins maintained these positions for the ten minutes I took pictures. Occasionally, the Gentoo would look back and the Chinstraps would eye him (or her).

Our Solitary Gentoo
This island houses a large Chinstrap community, but they inhabit the outside for easy access to food. Occasionally some wonder inside as is occurring. The Gentoo, however, should not be here.

Posing
Guess why they are called Chinstraps.

Another View
These guys ham it up almost as much as Puffins; sure don't mind the camera or me.

Chinstrap Was Here
Before becoming completely enamored with these guys, I should point out this is penguin excrement, which is ejected as a child would use a large water gun with short range. They care not what is to their rear as long as it does not land in their nest or on themselves. Other penguins and humans beware.

One Last Landscape
I thought this was attractive and mysterious. Bird disagreed with both.

Beagle Channel
Okay, okay, here is another landscape. We are now back in South America heading north along the Beagle toward Ushuaia when I saw this small glacier.

Black Brow Albatross
Did not see an albatross entire time in Antarctica but have two from the Beagle.

Ushuaia
Do not recall if we sent a picture of the most southern city in the world. If not, here is part of Ushuaia, Argentina.