Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2014/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The first stop around the Antarctic peninsula was Deception Island, a very well known spot in the South Shetlands, and our first landfall below 60 degrees South. It is the blown out caldera of a volcano, which is still active to some extent, with a narrow channel called "Neptune's Bellows" leading to a large, circular, sheltered harbour. We stopped at a point called Telefon Bay for a short hike up to a view point and some scenery. Luckily, this was one of the few clear days with bright sunshine that we had in the whole trip. The minute I landed, the first thing I saw was a Chinstrap Penguin running along a beach full of kelp, next to very deep blue water, and the walls of the caldera as a backdrop. The ice tended to be grey because of all loose greyish brown volcanic soil blowing around everywhere.: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4642.jpg.html Suddenly, it swerved into the water, and was gone: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4685.jpg.html Walking on, a Crabeater Seal was asleep on the water's edge. Despite the name, these seals live on krill, and not crabs - they are thought to be the most numerous seals on the planet, but this was the only one we saw. It was fast asleep, but as I got near, it raised its head and had a look: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4758.jpg.html Then it yawned and went right back to sleep: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4796.jpg.html The rest of the photographs are of the landscape and details on the caldera. This one was from the zodiac, the ice forming a detail that looked like a flying saucer, and a two toned sea in the foreground:: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4918.jpg.html A typical landscape: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4706.jpg.html Two looks at a small valley with a stream at the bottom: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4719.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4738.jpg.html Details on the caldera slopes, taken from the ship: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4812.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/antarctica/Antarctica_20140116_4827.jpg.html Please see LARGE Comments and criticism, as ever, welcome Cheers Jayanand