At sea, the Drake Passage
Our journey to Antarctica continues. After boarding the Endeavour in Ushuaia yesterday evening we steamed out through the Beagle Channel and into the Drake Passage – the 600 mile stretch of open water we must cross from Tierra del Fuego to reach the Antarctic Peninsula.
This morning we awoke in the wide open space of the southern ocean, and all day headed south towards our destination. But before we reach the Antarctic Peninusla there is much to see and think about. Our day was filled with presentations from our expert staff – covering subjects from seabirds to ocean currents and the history of Antarctic exploration. Between presentations we were out on deck watching for seabirds and marine mammals. We were lucky with the former; a steady stream of giant petrels, pintado petrels and the largest of them all – the wandering albatross (pictured). It has the largest wingspan of any bird, at a little over 3 metres, and can glide apparently without effort for hours covering vast distances. This bird is truly the master of skies in the southern ocean.
Meanwhile, those on the bridge kept note of the sea temperature, which declined steadily throughout the afternoon indicating our crossing of the Antarctic Convergence and our entry to the Antarctic realm – at least in biological and oceanographical terms. Tomorrow we will reach land in the South Shetland Islands where the journey and exploration will continue.
Our journey to Antarctica continues. After boarding the Endeavour in Ushuaia yesterday evening we steamed out through the Beagle Channel and into the Drake Passage – the 600 mile stretch of open water we must cross from Tierra del Fuego to reach the Antarctic Peninsula.
This morning we awoke in the wide open space of the southern ocean, and all day headed south towards our destination. But before we reach the Antarctic Peninusla there is much to see and think about. Our day was filled with presentations from our expert staff – covering subjects from seabirds to ocean currents and the history of Antarctic exploration. Between presentations we were out on deck watching for seabirds and marine mammals. We were lucky with the former; a steady stream of giant petrels, pintado petrels and the largest of them all – the wandering albatross (pictured). It has the largest wingspan of any bird, at a little over 3 metres, and can glide apparently without effort for hours covering vast distances. This bird is truly the master of skies in the southern ocean.
Meanwhile, those on the bridge kept note of the sea temperature, which declined steadily throughout the afternoon indicating our crossing of the Antarctic Convergence and our entry to the Antarctic realm – at least in biological and oceanographical terms. Tomorrow we will reach land in the South Shetland Islands where the journey and exploration will continue.
