A Royal Day

It has been yet another unbelievable day south of the Antarctic Convergence. Our second day at South Georgia Island has been phenomenal. According to one of our favorite naturalists, we have observed a huge amount of biomass today. We visited a King Penguin Colony at Salisbury Plain, home of over 80,000 pairs. It was overwhelming to come ashore and be greeted by so many colorful birds…literally a river of penguins!

Salisbury Colony, a River of Penguins



The King Penguin lives up to its name: majestic, pristine, magical.



However, the chicks are the epitome of ugly ducklings. They are referred to as, “Oakum Boys,” fluffy brown balls of homeliness. It’s hard to believe they grow up and become elegant king penguins.

Kings with An Oakum Boy



There was also plenty of fur seals and accompanying fesity pups.



We spent the late morning on Prion Island, where Wandering Albatrosses are nesting. We had a quick lunch, and then went onto more Shackleton experiences. We hiked the final portion of his crossing of South Georgia Island, from Fortuna Bay to Stromness. I could only imagine what it was like for good old Ernie to hear the whistles blow at the whaling station at Stromness.

Up from Fortuna Bay



Down to Stromness (yes, that's my ship, with the abandoned whaling station to the right)



Tomorrow will be more biomass experiences. We will visit St. Andrew's Bay, home to over 100,000 pairs of King Penguins. Oh, yeah, and more Shackleton, with a visit to his gravesite at Grytviken.