Monday, 1.30.17 – Nikkelsen Harbor, a Zodiac Tour and Whales!

This morning we went by zodiac to Mikkelsen Harbor and got off on the southern side of Trinity Island. There was a breeding colony of Gentoo penguins and an Argentine refuge hut which is used by researchers for overnight stays.

Whale bones were scattered on the shore and there were the remains of a old wooden boat left over from the whaling days. There were also a lot of seals lying on the beach.

The Gentoo penguins lay two eggs and sit on them for about a month. After the chicks hatch, both Mom an Dad take turns bringing back food while one stays with them. Many of the penguins were molting. That means they shed all of their old feathers for new ones. You can tell because their back looks shaggy. This takes about three weeks.

Once summer is over all of the colony will go back to the ocean where they will winter. Mating, nesting and raising the chicks takes place in the warmer summer months.

After lunch we went out again in small groups for a zodiac tour of Ciera Cove on the Dansco Coast. We went close to a huge iceberg that recently calved.  We went by a research base and of course we saw penguins and seals too!

After dinner we were treated to a whale feeding.  Several humpback whales made a circle out of bubbles.   This circle traps the krill and then the whales can gulp mouthfuls of them.   They put on a feeding show for us for about 20 minutes.

Every night when we come back from dinner our cabin steward, Tito, has a surprise for us.   The first night I was very  shocked that I let out a scream when I opened the door.

Tonight was a prettier scene.