Leopard Seal and Ice Arch

On a trip to Old Palmer (where just a foundation remains from the temporary station, constructed for shelter while this one was built), we got a call on the radio from the group ahead of us, "Hey, there are some cute penguins on this berg by Elephant Rocks- you should check it out."

They kept going to Old Palmer, and later we came around the bend- we saw the berg but no penguins. However, we did see a leopard seal munching on some fresh meat in the water next to the berg. Hmmm.

This was amazing to see. The seal writhed around in the water, tossing the carcass in the air a couple times before ripping through it. The gulls in the area swooped down for scraps every time the seal's head went underwater. It's head would pop out as it chewed and swallowed every bite. When its meal was finished, it noticed its audience and swam our way to check us out. "Yeah, no thanks," we said (in not so many words) and started the motor. Puttering away, we lost the seal's interest and it went back towards shore.

(headed at us)

After that exciting encounter, we continued on to Old Palmer and landed. A little hike inland brought us to a glacier and an arch in it caused by running water.

(view of the arch from inside)

There are so many beautiful things to see in the area. I'm so happy to have the opportunities to get out and about in a boat.

Also, the affect of global warming and climate change are so immediate in the area. The glaciers around station (and even farther away) are receding at rates of about 10-30 feet a year. Yes, the glaciers in Antarctica are melting. There are larger changes to come, and they will happen in latitudes closer to home.

Another major change in the area is the amount of krill (Antarctic shrimp, basically). They use the sea ice as a source of food (organisms growing on the ice surface under water) and a place to reproduce. In past years, there has been less and less sea ice forming in the winter because of warmer weather. Less sea ice means less krill. Penguins eat krill, other birds eat krill, fish eat krill, seals eat krill, whales eat krill. Decline in krill population stresses the populations of all these animals and many more. The main food source of the Antarctic is decreasing.

It's interesting to see all this and talk to the science groups working on the research.

That's my two cents.

For better explanations with pictures, charts, and 8 x 10 glossies with an explanation on the back of each one, please check out the December 3rd issue of the Antarctic Sun. As an added bonus, there's a picture of mine on page 5.