Antarctica (Day 3) - Cuverville Island

For our third stop, we dropped anchor in a bay at Cuverville Island, a position south of where we were on Day 2.  We all cheered when  the Expedition Team reported to the Bridge that conditions were favorable for passengers to go out on the Zodiacs.  Our Blue Group was scheduled to go out after lunch so we kept our fingers crossed that the weather would hold up.  Lucky us, the weather got better and better throughout the day with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees with calm winds.

Since some tours got canceled the previous day, the Expedition Team planned a day of 1 hour Zodiac tours around the bay followed by a landing where we could trek around for 75 minutes on shore. 

Just when we think the trip can't get any better...it does get better.  We cruised the bay among the brash ice in the Zodiac with our guide, Brent, a scientist and outdoor enthusiast who specializes in penguins.  He has been to Antarctica 127 times.  As we cruised slowly and quietly through the ice he pointed out points of interest and explained them to us to enhance our experience.  He is also a very funny man.  Imagine a Scientist/Comedian.  No wonder he studied the hilarious penguins.  We wish we had him as a science teacher in high school!

One fundamental thing Brent taught us about penguins is that one penguin cannot make a decision.  It takes 10 penguins to make a decision.  We saw this behavior over and over again.  A penguin would work so hard to waddle, crawl and belly slide to the edge of the water, then just stand there staring around.  Other penguins would arrive.  They would all gather there and squawk and look around.  Finally, one penguin dives in, then the rest of them follow.  It is hilarious to watch the decision making by committee.

Our Zodiac guide shares information with us as we tour

 

Massive iceberg

Glacier wall

Calm waters as we tour the bay and view the glacier wall

Lone Gentoo Penguin on an iceberg looking perplexed



Close examination of an iceberg

Fascinating ice features

After cruising, we landed for a 75 minute visit on shore where there is a large colony of Gentoo Penguins (the orangey/red beaked ones).  The Team roped off a course for us so we could trek around without disturbing the nesting penguins.  Again, the penguins were unfazed by us large, orange suited humans walking around on their island.  They went about their busy lives working on their nests, stealing each other's rocks for their nests and trekking from the nests to the sea to feed.

Cruising through the pack ice

Easy landing on shore

Gentoos tending to their nests made by piling up rocks
Noisy and smelly!

This one is dirty from its work on the nest
and is now heading to the sea to feed and get clean

Standoff at the rope line

Heading to the water's edge

Slip and fall

Busy, Busy, Busy

Shore visit with penguin colony and pack ice in the background

 

 

Late in the afternoon, back on board ship we received an announcement from the Bridge that several
humpback whales had been sighted off the bow of the ship as we sailed from Cuverville Island.  We went up to Deck 10 where the best viewing off the bow is conveniently located in the Observation Bar.  We hung out there and enjoyed a viewing of a majestic humpback whale Mama and her calf.   It was a "Whale of a Happy Hour" celebrating our day.

Humpbacks entertain us

"Thar she blows"

Mama and her calf

What a great day in ANTARCTICA !!!!!!