Antarctic Peninsula 2011

Here's part 3 of our 3 part trip -- Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and now the Antarctic Peninsula. More ice, snow, penguins and amazing scenery.

2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Antarctic Penin
We took two days to travel from South Georgia to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Antarctic Penin
As you can see on the map, we stayed in a relatively small region of the peninsula. It wasn't possible to travel further south because the sea lanes were frozen.
Antarctic Penin
We had some rough seas on our trip from South Georgia to the Antarctic Peninsula.
2011 Antarctica National Geographic Explorer Antarctic Penin
Watching the 30-foot high waves from the bridge.
2011 Antarctica National Geographic Explorer Antarctic Penin
We were mesmerized by the icebergs we saw as we approached Antarctica.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Antarctic Penin
Icebergs much taller than our ship.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Antarctic Penin
This dome-shaped iceberg had a few lonely penguins sitting on it. You wonder how they ever managed to get up on this large chunk of ice.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Antarctic Penin
As we nosed up to this large iceberg the setting sun cast a vivid shadow on the iceberg.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Antarctic Penin
It didn't take long before we became beauty pageant judges as we passed by one attractive iceberg after another.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Icebergs Antarctic Penin
This was my winner of the Iceberg Beauty Pageant.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Antarctic Penin
Shrouded in fog we spotted land on the Antarctic Peninsula.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Antarctic Penin
Our first stop was blustery Brown Bluff where we saw these Adelie penguins dashing for the sea.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
We cruised around the ice-strewn Brown Bluff in Zodiacs, bundled up for the blizzard like conditions.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
These Adelie penguins sitting on frozen rocks were joined by a Gentoo penguin on the left.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
The landscapes were spectacular. Here in black and white you see massive mountains made delicate by the snow.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Dorian Bay Antarctic Penin
This porpoising Adelie penguin just about jumped into our Zodiac.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
They porpoise to breathe without slowing down traveling up to speeds of 30-40 mph in the water.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Gentoo penguins are sitting on nests keeping their eggs warm during a snow storm.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Gentoo Penguin Antarctic Penin
Adelie penguins sitting on nests, some buried in the snow.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Really buried in the snow!
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Lying on the snow, this Adelie penguin walked within one foot of me.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Downhill travel is easier by sliding on the tummy and pushing with the feet.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Marching to the sea.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
A rare photo of red penguins.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
There is not much material for building nests in Antarctica other than rocks. Penguins spend a lot of time finding rocks.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Here's a nice big one.
2011 Antarctica Adele Penguins Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Summer is coming, the snow is melting.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Cape petrel Antarctic Penin
Now you know why they call this area Brown Bluff.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Brown Bluff Antarctic Penin
Traveling further south our ship breaks its way through the ice.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Ice Antarctic Penin
Those red penguins again on King George Island
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chilean Research Base King George Island Antarctic Penin
Dorian Bay
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Dorian Bay Antarctic Penin
Sunrise at sea
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Antarctic Penin
Crabeater seal on a small berg.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Crabeater Seal King George Island Antarctic Penin
Chinstrap penguins are most people's favorite type of penguin; they're always smiling.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chinstrap Penguins Halfmoon Island Antarctic Penin
A snowy sheathbill and chinstrap penguins having a discussion.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chinstrap Penguins Halfmoon Island Snowy Sheathbill Antarctic Penin
We were in awe of the rock-hopping ability of the penguins we observed.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chinstrap Penguins Halfmoon Island Antarctic Penin
Now that's a face you can love.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chinstrap Penguins Halfmoon Island Antarctic Penin
Okay, just one more photo of these smiling penguins.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Chinstrap Penguins Halfmoon Island Antarctic Penin
Approaching Half Moon Island.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Halfmoon Island Antarctic Penin
Viewing Neko Harbor
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula National Geographic Explorer Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin
Appreciating the magnificence of this spectacular place on a balmy day.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Julie Martens Rainer Antarctic Penin
Gentoo penguins in Neko Harbor
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Gentoo Penguin Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin
Viewing Neko Harbor
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin
Blue ice
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Icebergs Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin
Marching to the top.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin
Gentoo penguin swimming in shallow water by the ship.
2011 Antarctica Antarctic Pennisula Gentoo Penguin Neko Harbour Antarctic Penin