Colour of Antarctica

One of the most alluring aspects of Antarctica is the luminous, almost phosphorescent green of the icebergs. The mesmerising hues are most evident in the denser parts of the iceberg and where the iceberg was cracking and calving. Photographically, shooting teh green with light passing through the back of the ice produces the most saturated colours.

Through the porthole

Shot through the porthole at anchor. Most of the passengers were off on an evening zodiac cruise with waters like the proverbial mill pond. Shot on Nikon D700 - series of four shots stitched together.

Floppy and Fantastic

 Penguins on land are delightful to watch - but they stumble, fall, slide and wobble like drunken sailors.

In the water its a different story - they become streamlined flying machines and propel themselves through the water with what appears to be jet propulsion.

Landscapes from another planet

 Like in life, timing in photography is important. The photographer, with her Canon G7 (with an annoying shutter lag) captured the snow petrel near the mountain peak.

Below: Wilhelmina Bay. In other latitudes the 'sweet spot' for sunset shot may last as little as one minute. In Antarctica the 'sweet spot' may last as long as 30 minutes.

Zodiac Landings

 Twice a day we don our thermal and wet weather, down the gangplank and into the zodiacs.
The weather ranged from near blizzard conditions with horizontal snow to windless, idyllic conditions and placid waters.

Snow petrels, white on white, provide the perfect 'high key' shot.
Shots (right and below) shot on an ancient Canon G7. After two days of snow the icy waters formed a crust called brash ice.

Another World

 Leaving Ushuaia we steamed smooth waters in the Beagle Channel. A variety of albatross flew 'circuits'  over our ship the Akademik Ioffe.

We sat on the deck with long lenses sipping hot coffee and Baileys.

Deception Island about 10pm. A night cruise through a monochrome landscape.
Inside the sip is a warm and toasty 17-20 deg. On deck it was typically -1 deg with a wind chill factor. So you rug up.

Prep for Landing

 It takes a while (15-20 mins) to get all that gear on and almost the same to get it off.
Forget all about a toilet visit during a landing - impossible! So empty your bladder efficiently because you could be on ice for 2-4 hrs.

About 7/8 of an iceberg is below the waterline. The luminous green looks great when captured. A polarising filter will help enormously provided the sun is at 90 deg to your shooting direction.

Happy little 'Chinstraps'

'Hi! pleased to meet you!'

Chinstrap penguins always need athough bubble. The line of black feathers seems to give them a perpetual smile.

Local rules says you can't get closer than five metres to a penguin. But if you stand still they can virtually sit on your feet.

Red 'penguins' on parade

 Marcus from Germany with his Fuji X100. You start with a  layer of thermals, followed by shirt, trousers, fleeces and jumper. The ship provides the outer protective waterproof safety layer and boots.
If you look carefully, everyone is wearing a small inflatable life jacket.

Our Crabeater seal performed for us for 30 minutes. Only later did I notice the snot in his right nostril

Leopard Seal

inquisitive leopard seal checks out our zodiac

Gentoo Penguins searching for nesting places