We were side-tracked as we sailed from Paulet Island to Brown Bluff, by a very welcome pod of Type B (Small) Orcas as detailed in the previous Blog Post. Eventually, by mid-afternoon, we were approaching Brown Bluff.
Brown Bluff is the beach & cliffs in the distance
The final approach to Brown Bluff
Adelie Penguin: I like the ice formation behind these Adelie Penguins
Finally, we dropped the anchor at Brown Bluff
The next zodiac comes ashore
Final instructions to the following zodiac, before they started to disembark
Adelie Penguin: This Adelie Penguin wanted to show us how easy it was to get ashore
Brown Bluff is a narrow area of bare cliffs between glaciers
There was plenty of ice lumps including this one which allowed a chase for a photo
This looks more like a cut-glass piece of art
There was a group of Giant Petrels near the shore.
Southern Giant Petrel: The all-white Giant Petrel is easy to identify, as only Southern Giant Petrels have this colour morph
Northern Giant Petrel: Zooming in on the top right Giant Petrels confirms they are Northern Giant Petrels. The dark pastel red bill tips confirm their identification
Southern Giant Petrel: This is a different all-white Southern Giant Petrel as it doesn't have the black spot in the wings. The pastel green bill tip confirms the identification of these individuals
Cape Petrel: This is presumably a nest site
There were a good number of Gentoo Penguins nesting on the beach, as well as, some Adelie Penguins.
Gentoo Penguin: It was cold enough for lumps of ice to remain on the beach
Gentoo Penguin: Juvenile waiting for a parent to return to feed it
Adelie Penguin: You can make your own caption up to this one
Clearly, it wasn't just the passengers who were finding the long days a challenge to keep going.
Gentoo Penguin: As I was photographing these Gentoo Penguins, a Snowy Sheathbill dropped in before diving into the overhanging cave. It had a youngster in there, but the youngster quickly disappeared when it saw me
Snowy Sheathbill: The parent quickly flew up to a rock outside of the cave & sat there
I wasn't expecting to see some Lichens on these rocks or signs of other vegetation.
When I was in the UK, I had missed that one of the activities that were scheduled for this afternoon was a dip in the sea in Antarctica. Had I realised that, I might well have pack some swimming shorts for an Antarctica dip. I've been in the sea in all the Continents, except South America and Antarctica. Due to the sea temperatures, passengers were restricted to a quick run down the beach, an immersion in the water & to come straight out again. But given the sea and land temperatures that was probably enough. But being unprepared, I kept all my warm clothing on. If I get back to Antarctica, I will have to pack the swimming shorts.
A few hardy souls gave it a go
The passengers who attempted the polar dip were given lots of encouragement
This poor Penguin spent longer in the water than all the passengers and didn't get any congratulations
Fairly late on in our visit, a Weddell Seal was found sleeping on the beach. A number of us popped along for photos, but clearly it was deep in sleep and we didn't disturb it.
Weddell Seal: It is probably safer to sleep on the beach, as the Type B (Large) Orca that occur around the Antarctic Peninsula are predominately Seal hunters and Weddell Seals are their preferred meal. They work together if they find a Seal on an ice floe to wash the Seal into the water, where it will be quickly caught
Finally, we were back on the Plancius & heading to dinner. After a quick meal, I was back on deck for the rest of the evening.
An interesting-looking iceberg
Looking to the South of Brown Bluff
It was past 22:00 and the light is becoming unbirdable: Time to give up for the day
After a final hot drink and the chance to warm up whilst socialising with some of the passengers, it was time to head to bed. I was only going to get a few hours' sleep, before another 04:30 start in the morning. But at that time, I would already have missed sunrise.
