Antarctica 2-9-22

Today we explored The Narrows, Blaiklock Island in the Zodiac.  Before we left they announced the weather, 37F.  Therefore  I dressed for “warm” Antarctic weather.   Motoring through the narrows the weather gods plummeting us with katabatic *winds……sleet, snow, rain and winds 40 knots with water flying over us in the zodiac!  Jonathan, our guide said it was a “force 4”.  It felt like my face was being attacked by tiny pebbles!   But it was a very amazing and fun Antarctic adventure.  You just never know what Antarctica has in store for you!

When we came out of The narrows the sun started to peek through and blue sky appeared.  

We got to see a leopard seal that was quite active.  

He shared the iceberg with 2 Crabeater seals!

We all just circled the iceberg because this seal was so active and fun to watch!!!

Below is a Weddell seal entering the water. 

And of course beautiful icebergs….

With the zodiac in front of it you can get an idea of it’s size 

I just never got tired of the amazing and beautiful icebergs!!

This afternoon we explored Lystad Bay and landed on the other side of Horseshoe Island. We were greeted by Weddell and Fur seals.   

There was also a small colony of  Adélie penguins.  

Notice the molting on the cute little guy in the middle!

This fat little guy is also molting!

There was a hike up the mountain and the sun / clouds made for magnificent views below. 

More cute molting Adélie penguins

The changing sky was just beautiful and amazing!

Below as we head back to the boat.  

* Katabatic winds occur when air is cooled from below over sloping terrain. Such cooling causes a shallow blanket of air adjacent to the surface to become colder and therefore heavier than the atmosphere above, thus forming a thermally distinct layer that exchanges little energy with the overlying air.