Page 16 - Seniorstoday January 2023 Issue
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Skua
Penguins and their chicks
named A76. Currently the largest free-
floating iceberg at around 160 km long
and 25 km wide. It measured around 4320
Sq.km when it calved (broke off) from the
Ronne Ice Shelf in mid-May 2021. It was
a spectacular site, as it emerged through
Skua the mist, its ice cliff estimated at about
Conditions remained much the same as 150 ft high. That only 10% of an iceberg
the previous day. From vantage points sits above the water surface made it more
within the ship, we observed Blue Petrels stupefying. For over an hour, we sailed
and Southern Fulmars whizzing past parallel to this colossal beast. The big
the bay windows of the bar, like snow swell crashing against this massive wall
flurries. Cape Petrels with their black and of ice rebounded, causing a very confused
white chessboard plumage, soared too sea state to navigate through. It made the
and fro, enjoying the high winds and big spotting of small but dangerous chunks of
waves. White-Chinned and Giant Petrels, ice, called growlers, a challenge to navigate.
Black-Browed and Light-Mantled Sooty All of this put together – the raw power of
Albatross added to the bird medley. The nature, afforded a sight both breath-taking
birding highlight of today were the rarely as well as humbling.
seen Antarctic Petrels, gliding along at eye
-level.
Day 13
Sunday, 6 November 2022
Wind force 8, Sea state - rough
AT SEA
Nature continued showing us its might
as we progressed on the long passage
from South Georgia to Antarctica. While
listening to a talk on Antarctic Krill and
its importance in the Antarctic ecosystem,
we approached a giant tabular iceberg, A76 – Giant Tabular Iceberg
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