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Antarctica - Breaking The Last Frontier
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| Posted by Jerome Konen on 19/02/05 |
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| Penguin Land |
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| Photo by Jerome Konen |
| Gentoo Penguin in the morning sun. |
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18 February 2005 - The usual weather in the morning today, snow falling and bitterly cold. Well, I know, we are in Antarctica and the winter is right close here now.
The Gentoo Penguins colonies here at Port Lockroy are dispersed over several rocks. Actually the chicks are quite big already and are fed on undigested shrimps or small fish by regurgitation. The chicks gather together in the protection of crèches when both parents are gone fishing. Faithful penguins, the Gentoos are returning to their colonial breeding grounds and are mating usually with their partner of the previous year.
First dive was done in the early afternoon. A whole whale skeleton on this ground is known only by a few and is kept as a secret spot in this area near Port Lockroy, the former whaling station. An interesting dive, although the visibility wasn't inviting for a visit.
The water temperature is around zero, freezing in the face but thoroughly bearable. After 25min diving, the cold water becomes unpleasant and making surface stops the freezing pain.
Another day here in Penguin Land.
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