Drake Passage
We awoke today steaming south in the Drake Passage. Moderate winds and a following sea pushed us along towards our destination of Antarctica. Our first day at sea was filled with introductions and a few presentations on what to expect in the days ahead. As we progressed along, we picked up a following of seabirds that would be our constant companions for the day.
The winds and seas of the Drake Passage are the perfect environ for the various seabirds we enjoyed today. Many different species spent time with us, led by the magnificent albatrosses. Four different species of albatross were spotted, including the largest of all, the Wandering Albatross. With a wingspan of nearly 12 feet, these massive birds wheel and glide with the greatest of ease in our wind conditions. Able to circumnavigate the globe in a matter of weeks, their flying skills astounded us. Photographers were thrilled by repeated close passes on the aft deck, as hundreds of images were snapped. Also exciting were the Cape Petrels. Named “pintado” for their speckled black and white upper-wing, these smaller seabirds danced around the ship as well.
Storm-petrels, prions, and giant-petrels also put in an appearance today, for a very successful day of seabird watching.
We continued south all afternoon, and made good speed for a hopeful landfall tomorrow afternoon in the South Shetlands.
We awoke today steaming south in the Drake Passage. Moderate winds and a following sea pushed us along towards our destination of Antarctica. Our first day at sea was filled with introductions and a few presentations on what to expect in the days ahead. As we progressed along, we picked up a following of seabirds that would be our constant companions for the day.
The winds and seas of the Drake Passage are the perfect environ for the various seabirds we enjoyed today. Many different species spent time with us, led by the magnificent albatrosses. Four different species of albatross were spotted, including the largest of all, the Wandering Albatross. With a wingspan of nearly 12 feet, these massive birds wheel and glide with the greatest of ease in our wind conditions. Able to circumnavigate the globe in a matter of weeks, their flying skills astounded us. Photographers were thrilled by repeated close passes on the aft deck, as hundreds of images were snapped. Also exciting were the Cape Petrels. Named “pintado” for their speckled black and white upper-wing, these smaller seabirds danced around the ship as well.
Storm-petrels, prions, and giant-petrels also put in an appearance today, for a very successful day of seabird watching.
We continued south all afternoon, and made good speed for a hopeful landfall tomorrow afternoon in the South Shetlands.
