Antarctic Fox - Day 10: Hannah Point Part 1: The Birds

The log of Rachel and Kevin Fox's trip to the Antarctic Peninsula in the Summer of 2008-9

Day 10: Hannah Point Part 1: The Birds

January 4 - Hannah Point, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula

After our amazing experience with the whales we zipped over to Livingston Island, which had been our destination when we had been getting dressed just 40 minutes ago. Livingston Island hadn't been on our original agenda but our weather had been so incredible that Tim and Rob and Captain Martin had been able to show us more than most visitors got to see in the time we were spending there, so the night before when they asked what we still wanted to see, I (Rachel) said "Elephant seals!", and so we diverted a bit and now here we were. However Livingston Island has more than just Elephant seals. We got to see three species of penguin all nesting together, including one species we hadn't yet seen. And we got to see the amazing Giant Petrels!!

Livingston Island, as part of the South Shetland Islands, is more north than the Antarctic peninsula. It has more rocky land with less snow and ice cover, and generally has (comparatively) milder climates, and so plays host to a greater variety of wildlife. One thing you don't normally think about, but in several of the pictures you'll notice red or green lichen and mosses in small patches on the rocks. Further south there's no moss and very, very little lichen (it can take a century to grow an inch), so even going north this small distance, you can see the effects it has on the local ecology.

We got so many good shots on this excursion that we've split it in to two parts. The first one details the various penguins and chicks, and the second is all about the Elephant seals, so check it out, and stay tuned!

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Here We Come - This penguin parent is leading it's chicks on a feeding chase. When the chicks get to be this size both parents have to go to sea to get enough food to feed them. The chicks huddle up on the shore and wait for their parents to come home with food. In order to know which chicks belong to it, the parent will call out and the chicks will similarly call back when they recognize the parents call. That however is not enough, the parent also leads it's chicks on a bit of a chase to make sure that these chicks are commited to it. Now, if you want to believe that everything is always good for natures' babies, stop reading right here. The second reason for the chase is because two adult penguins are really only capable of rearing one chick to full maturity, but generally have two chicks to hedge their bets. Often one chick will fall to some preditor, but the chase also insure that the stronger faster chick (the one most likely to survive the harsh whether they live in), is always fed first. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Larry, Curely & Fuzzbucket - But you know, his friends call him Moe! Baby Gentoo Penguins. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Now Don't Be Obvious, But There Is This Odd Thing Behind You... I SAID DON'T LOOK!! - Two adolecent penguin chicks hanging out on Elephant Island. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Yum Yum - A good view of the slightly digested krill that the adult penguin is feeding to its chick. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Two cute - even as baby chicks, those beaks look like they've got some serious history. Also: AWWW. - Photo by Kevin Fox
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Me first! Me first! - Two chicks (nearly) tie in the race for food. See how eager the right chick is? Just look at his happy feet. - Photo by Kevin Fox
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The Emissary - Welcome martian, I bring greetings from my people! One gentoo penguin bravely approaching me to figure out what I am. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Rookery With A View - View atop a hill of Elephant Island in the South Shetlands. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Castle In The Clouds - Gentoo and chinstrap penguins raising their chicks on a hill on Elephant Island. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Traffic - "Don't Stare Gert." "But their plumage is all Red! How do they hide from the seals?" "All I know is they are using our road, and I don't like it." Gentoo penguins heading for the ocean. - Photo by Rachel Lea Fox
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Read the next chapter: Day 10: Hannah Point Part 2: Elephant Seals

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