Monday Morning: Petermann Island

 

Monday morning we assembled in the Landing Area in full gear ready for a Zodiac landing on Petermann Island.  There we hoped to see several colonies of Gentoo penguins.

Stepping from the Landing Area into the Zodiac was treacherous this morning.  A continuing snowfall made every surface slippery.  However, the temperature was a comfortable 28 degrees.

Approaching the shore, we could see (and smell) the penguin colonies. 

The fresh snow made everything beautiful and yet very difficult.  The landing area was extremely rocky and we disembarked into knee deep water.

Then there was a 20 yard stream with rocks that had to be crossed.

The penguins were waiting for us.  Their leader waved his wings and invited us ashore.

To visit another colony, we trekked up a hillside.

On the cliffs behind was a penguin rookery containing hundreds of birds.  Their little black bodies can be seen standing above the fresh snow.

Penguins feed on sea life and must walk down to the ocean for food.  Their short legs and long bodies cause them to waddle.  After finishing their meal, they walk uphill back to the rookery.  Sometimes this is a quarter mile or more distance.

Another hungry penguin!

Reboarding the Octantis, we undergo boot washing.  This has two purposes: one, to keep the ship clean; and two, to prevent bacteria and other pathogens from cross contaminating other colonies we will be visiting.