Emperor Penguins at Snow Hill Island - New Study Announced

Penguins pop up everywhere nowadays – from adverts for refrigerators to billboards for the Austrian Tourist board!  Next time you see one, bear in mind that they may well a resident of Snow Hill Island - the northern-most Emperor Penguin rookery in Antarctica.  The Emperor Penguin Safari, aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov is a photographer’s delight – if you’re looking for that traditional Christmas card penguin shot with which to impress your family and friends, then this is the voyage for you. Over approx. four days at the beginning of the Austral springtime, the icebreaker will be anchored at the edge of the frozen ocean; passengers will then be flown by helicopter to a spot close by to the rookery, and will then walk to where the penguins are nesting (to ensure the birds are not disturbed).  The photos shown on this blog are with the kind permission of our friend Chris Dunham, who travelled to Snow Hill last October on the Emperor Penguin Safari- lucky lady!

NEWS JUST IN – A study will take place at Snow Hill Island, led by Graham Robertson of the Australian Antarctic Division.  The study will provide important information as to how global warming and the expanding krill fishery adjacent to the rookery will affect the survival of fledgling Emperors on their maiden excursion from the rookery, and how adult Emperor Penguins are affected by today’s changing climate.  Incredibly, adult Emperors must double their body weight not once but twice in order to survive.  The first time is in order to endure the three-week molt, during which they will grow a full coat of new plumage. Then the adults must again double their body weight (peaking at around 90 lbs) in order to survive the four month winter fast, when the Antarctic continent is locked by darkness and intense cold . Scientists believe that the changes to the Emperor’s environment, caused by global warming and the fishery, will have a detrimental effect on the survival of the rookery at Snow Hill.  The study will require financial support – if you'd like to help then please call 001 212 247 8464 for further information. Thank you.

Times Online - Awestruck in Antarctica

You can always rely on the Times to feature some inspiring travel.  Here's a great online piece by Gareth Jenkins, who is  'Awestruck in Antarctica', having decided to quit the daily grind and trot off around the globe with his trusty camera. 

Gareth travelled onboard the 46-passenger former research vessel, the Aleksey Maryshev, and recounts his experiences in an article that brings the experience of visiting the Antarctic Peninsula vividly to life.  Having been privileged to travel onboard the sister vessel to the Aleksey Maryshev, the Grigoriy Mikheev, he took me right back there to the peace and tranquility, and astounding beauty of the area.  Take a peek at his image gallery - some truly breathtaking shots on there.....

Flying Penguins on the BBC

The BBC today announced that they will be screening remarkable footage of penguins flying as part of its new natural history series, Miracles of Evolution.  When the weather turns chilly and they've had enough of all that snow and ice in Antarctica, these remarkable Adelie penguins take to the skies - watch the incredible scenes as they crash land into more tropical climes!  See the video here. For those of you who aren't based in the UK you can read about it here, on the Telegraph's website (who also have video footage).

The programme is presented by ex-Monty Python star Terry Jones, who said: "We'd been watching the penguins and filming them for days, without a hint of what was to come". The footage is only available for viewing from 1 April for a few days...

UPDATE (8 APRIL) - you can now see the video on YouTube (and the spin-offs at the end) and also watch how it was made - very clever!

February in Antarctica - a Whale of a Time!

As January is now behind us, I thought I'd reflect on the splendours of travelling down to Antarctica in February.  Undoubtedly February has to be one of the best times to see whales.  As most departures run from November to mid-March each year you might mistakenly think that this the tail-end of the season and wonder if it's a good time to travel. Year on year we speak to returning passengers who have had the most amazing encounters with these mammoth marine mammals at this time of year. 

One lady was quite emotional as she described the vessel being surrounded by a pod of 50 or so Orca.  Another passenger described how a cheeky gentoo sought refuge in their zodiac from a hungry killer whale, and how the orca casually spy-hopped not far away, keeping its beady eye on his potential snack!  Each Antarctic experience is very different and special in its own way, which is part of the  charm of the white continent - you never know what suprises your particular voyage will bring!   February and March are 'late summer' for Antarctica, and besides enjoying whale watching at its very best, penguin colonies are very active and the chicks are particularly playful.  Read more about the season highlights here. Your parka toggle could be a tasty treat for a gentoo chick, and there's only one way of finding out!  Receding ice also allows for easier exploration; the ice choked waterways are still dotted with the most spectacular carved bergs and fur seals are most commonly seen on the Peninsula at this time.  With penguins, seals, whales and other birdlife in abundance throughout the austral summer in Antarctica, take the plunge and start planning your adventure of a lifetime right now!

Greenpeace confronts Japanese Whalers in Antarctic waters

The last few days in the Southern Oceans off Antarctica have been eventful.  Last Saturday a Greenpeace ship confronted a Japanese whaling fleet that had set out to hunt around a thousand minke and fin whales in the name of 'research'. The recent documentary 'Battleship Antarctica', which was on television in late December, provided a fascinating insight into this cat-and-mouse chase between Greenpeace's ship the Esperanza and the Japanese fleet, showing life on board and the crew's determination to save as many whales as possible in a peaceful manner.  Ironically, due to a fire onboard the whalers were forced to abandon their hunt during previous 06-07 season.

Last November, Japan dispatched its whaling fleet to the icy waters of Antarctica to kill about 1,000 whales under a programme that Tokyo says is for scientific purposes. The sides of the whaling ships are emblazoned 'RESEARCH'. Japan's whaling fleet is run by a government-backed research institute and operates under an International Whaling Commission clause that allows the killing of whales for scientific purposes.  Last month Japan bowed to international pressure and abandoned its plan to include 50 humpback whales in the hunt.  It would have been the first major hunt of humpback whales since the 1960s. Commercial hunts of humpbacks have been banned worldwide since 1966, and commercial whaling overall since 1986. Greenpeace states that there is a glut of whale meat in the market, with stockpiles growing due to whalers being unable to sell their catch. Although humpbacks have been spared this year, fin and minke whales are still the target of the whalers.  As someone who has travelled to Antarctica and has seen minke and humpback whales myself, I would urge people to send an email to the Japanese government via Greenpeace's website, asking them to spare ALL whales and not just the humpbacks.   One of my most treasured memories was sitting in a zodiac in the Lemaire Channel, amidst a stunning backdrop of glaciers and mountains, with a pair of humpbacks swimming around us, rolling over and showing their barnacled bellies.  These are beautiful creatures that need to be protected.

Australia, a strong opponent of whaling, for the first time this season sent a government-hired ship the 'Ocean Viking' to collect photo and video evidence for a possible legal challenge to Japan's scientific whaling programme.  Read the report from the Daily Telegraph here.

A Penguin A Day Keeps the January Blues Away!

  I normally start the day with a good strong cup of coffee, which I think will probably be accompanied by a penguin in future.  Not the chocolate biscuit sort you understand, but one courtesy of the British Antarctic Survey.  Their website brings you the 'Penguin of the Day' as well as a 'Picture of the Day'.  You can even rate their images... For those of you who long for the white continent, this may just set you up for the day ahead!

World Wildlife Fund Report - Penguins on Thin Ice

Melting sea ice and overfishing have triggered a dangerously rapid decline in penguin populations on the Antarctic peninsula – a direct result of global warming, warns a new report from the WWF. Temperatures on the frozen continent are rising five times faster than the global average due to the unprecedented rate of climate change, pushing four species – including the emperor – perilously close to extinction. Emperors nest on the sea ice and can be found at Snowhill Island just around the tip of the peninsula as well as on the Ross Sea side of Antarctica.  Icebreakers are needed for the voyages to these inhospitable areas (see our Emperor Penguin Safari, Epic Antarctica and Great Explorers Voyages).

Warmer temperatures are forcing penguins to raise their young on increasingly thinner and more precarious ice floes, while stronger winds mean many eggs and chicks are being blown away from their parents before they are able to survive on their own. The gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie (found along the Antarctic Peninsula) – along with the emperor, the largest penguin species in the world – are now struggling to survive as melting sea ice destroys nesting sites and reduces vital food sources, such as krill.

“As the ice melts, these icons of the Antarctic will have to face an extremely tough battle to survive”, said Emily Lewis-Brown, of the WWF. “One of the coldest environments in the world is actually seeing some of the fastest rates of global warming, and unless action is taken to reduce global CO2 emissions, the future of many Antarctic species looks bleak.”

The report, entitled Antarctic Penguins and Climate Change, warns sea ice in the West Antarctic peninsula has receded by 40% during the past 26 years, causing certain colonies to dramatically decline. The emperor, the largest and arguably the most majestic penguin in the world, has seen some of its colonies halved in size during the past 50 years.The number of chinstraps has decreased by between 30 and 66% in some colonies: less food is making it increasingly difficult for the young to survive. Gentoos are now listed as nearly endangered on the IUCN Red List. Warming is fastest on the north western coast of the Antarctic, where populations of adélie penguins have dropped by as much as 65% over the past 25 years. UN Climate Change Conference delegates in Bali PLEASE sit up and take note. 

The perfect Christmas Gift - 'The Polar World' book

It's at about this time every year that it suddenly dawns on me that I really should get a move on with buying Christmas presents.  I think I've just found the perfect one for my Dad (guess where the interest in Antarctica comes from!), which is a relief!  Sir Wally Herbert's stunning book 'The Polar World' has just been published in a hardback edition (RRP £35) in October, in good time for the festive season.  The book is also available in leather hand-bound  (RRP £450) and real cloth (RRP £220) special limited editions, if you're feeling flush.  All three are available now from the Museum Shop at Scott Polar Research Institute (which also has a very tempting selection of stocking fillers to choose from).  If you're in the Cambridge area then I strongly recommend you stop by the Institute to see the exhibition of Sir Wally's beautiful pictures that are on display, but you'll need to hurry to get there before 8 December 2007. 

A bit more about 'The Polar World', taken from the Friends of SPRI's Polar Bytes newsletter:

This stunning book captures the spirit of the Polar World, as never seen before - through the eyes of a man who was the bridge between the heroic age of exploration and modern adventure; a visionary who walked in the footsteps of all the greatest explorers, and learned the art of survival from the Inuit themselves.  This superb collection of Sir Wally's paintings, together with personal anecdotes of his experiences in the Polar World and his connection with the polar pioneers of the past, as well as his descritpions of the inspiration behind his paintings, makes this, his last book, outstandingly valuable as a vital contribution to polar literature, and as a unique collector's item.  Visit www.polarworld.co.uk or email hello@polarworld.co.uk - the website has a wealth of information about the unique vision of Sir Wally Herbert, and is the creation of Sir Wally himself as well as his wife and daughter. 

Falklands Conservation - Adopt a Penguin!

Last year the team in the office very kindly gave me a special gift for a (ahem!) 'significant' birthday. For someone who's particularly fond of our feathered Antarctic friends, it was perfect!  I do hope that my adopted king penguin, 'Happy' is still hopping around somewhere on the Falkland Islands, true to his name happily collecting pebbles and nesting with a lovely mate.  I shall spare a thought for him tomorrow as another year passes, and hope that his next adoptive parent is as pleased with the gift of 'Happy' as I was.....

Watch out for our new Falkland Islands land-based tours in our NEW POLAR JOURNEYS BROCHURE - due out mid-October.  Our two leading itineraries both visit the wildlife sanctuary of Volunteer Point, where visitors can watch various penguin species in wonder, most notably around 1,200 adult majestic king penguins live here in their masses.  The Conservation Trust ensures that visitors do not approach too close and that these beautiful birds are undisturbed. 

Falkland Islands Conservation does a sterling job at preserving the wildlife in the remote and beautiful islands.  They monitor and protect the penguins, seals, birdlife etc. etc. on the archipelago, and have offices in Stanley (Falkland Islands) as well as London.

To support them, or adopt your own penguin, visit their website.  You can purchase books or notelets via their online shop. With Christmas looming large, and cards in the shops already, why not buy penguin Christmas cards that actually benefit the penguins directly?!  Now that's an idea....

Penguin Pages.....

If you thought that penguins were only found in Antarctica, then you thought wrong!  Being biased, I would suggest that the most spectacular place to see them is undoubtedly the White Continent, however these comical birds are also found in South America, South Africa as well as in New Zealand and Australia/Tasmania. The most northerly breed is the Galapagos Penguin, and well, you can guess where you'd find that little fella!

To list the common names of all 17 species, they are: Emperor, King, Gentoo,  Adelie, Chinstrap, Yellow-eyed, Macaroni, Royal, Erected-crested, Snares, Fiordland, Rockhopper, Magellanic, Humboldt, African, Galapagos and Little.

Talking of which, a kindly friend brought round a bottle of Australian Little Penguin wine recently (knowing my interest in all things penguin!) - very drinkable it was too.....

A great website for further in-depth information on penguin species and where to find them (particularly if like me you're not a biologist) is here.

Tourism in Antarctica - A cause for concern?

Following up on my previous blog about tourism in Antarctica.... I've just read with interest an article by Guardian Unlimited's Rachel Williams, calling into question the ethics of travelling to the frozen continent.  It's easier than ever to jump on a plane and globetrot - up until recently British holidaymakers had few qualms about escaping somewhere exotic, however it's clear that today's traveller wants more out of their holiday than just a suntan and a week on a beach to show for it (not that there's anything wrong with that - each to their own I say).  And just maybe we're all growing a conscience about those fossil fuels we're burning with our annual (sorry, make that tri-annual) escape from these grey skies.  But let's face it - in this age of convenience - I mean, a hotel at the top of Machu Picchu?!? - we need to do more than cast a passing thought about how our thirst for adventure is affecting the planet. 

  Antarctica is without doubt one of the most pristine environments left on the planet, and is also one of the most thrilling.  The continent has opened up on a massive scale (in Antarctic terms) to visitors.  As a tour operator offering the facility to passengers to experience Antarctica, we at Discover the World are acutely aware of the need to play our part in the preservation of the continent.  Yes - we are a business, yes - people travelling down there means that we all make a living, but we look to do so with a conscience, and that's very important to us.

Discover the World have always had the bigger picture in mind - after all - we were the first travel company to champion whale watching in Iceland over 20 years ago as a viable alternative to hunting, and we're proud to support the Whale Museum at Husavik.  Therefore it's only natural that we are picky about the operators that we work with in Antarctica.  You won't see any mammoth cruise ships in our portfolio. 

We're only too happy to see that the press are publicising the need to control tourism in Antarctica, and to control those operators offering tours in this remote region.   The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators plays an important role in keeping the operators in check, however as a self-governed organisation essentially there needs to be something else in place to protect this delicate environment.  Nobody owns Antarctica - so where does the responsibility lie?  Let's hope that the delegates' voices at the annual Antarctic  Treaty meeting this week will highlight the need for definite rules and regulations.  Up until recently it was only the icebreakers or ice-strengthened vessels that dared venture around Antarctica, however with the huge upturn in visitors wanting to explore the continent, the potential of the area has caught the attention of larger cruise ships.  It's the possible environmental disaster involving one of these ships thats worrying. 

So - what makes Discover the World different from the rest?  Well, like I said, we're choosy about who we work with.  We concentrate on providing intimate experiences.  What people get is a real insight into the environment in which they are travelling.  One of our favoured partners is the voyage operator Quark Expeditions, who are well-known and respected within polar circles as pioneers of expedition 'cruising' in both the Arctic and Antarctic.  Quark employ experts in their field to work onboard their vessels, and they have a wealth of experience in their captains and crew, who are ice masters and seamen extraordinaire....  Amongst Quark's team you'll find members of the Scott Polar Research Institute, research scientists, naturalists, historians... the list of those with a vested interest in the polar regions just goes on.   By travelling with such a well-respected and knowledgable bunch of individuals our clients know that they are fulfilling their dreams, but are doing so with the least possible negative effect on the environment.  Let's face it - whenever there's a demand for anything in this life there will always be people there wanting to make a living out of supplying that demand.  The calibre of Quark's lecturers and expedition team is testament to how respected Quark is in the polar regions - the experts surely wouldn't work for a company which did not advocate 'clean' travel in these regions...   

Quark is an active member of IAATO, and  has supported (in the UK and New Zealand) the Antarctic Heritage Trust, which does invaluable work in the preservation of the historic huts of the Ross Sea region.  The company also supports the Save the Albatross campaign, and further contributes to scientific research by frequently providing logicstical support to the National Science Foundation, the Australian Antarctic Division, and other scientific organisations studying environmental issues, climate change, wildlife and the Antarctic ecosystem.  The company reviews all of its Antarctic operations annual with the US Environmental Protection Agency. 

We raised an eyebrow when it was announced that the larger cruise vessels would be travelling the Antarctic coastline.  We will be keeping to the small vessels (typically carrying around 50 passengers), and working with those partners that we know and trust.  Throughout their experience onboard and on during landings the expedition team follow strict guidelines set by IAATO regarding the movement of passengers, to ensure minimum impact on wildlife and the environment.  It's drummed into passengers that this is a delicate environment, and that washing boots in between visits to colonies, or ensuring that the germ-laden tissue in your coat pocket doesn't go flying off into a colony, are absolutely essential instructions.  Smaller groups equate to a personal experience but also ensures that very  little damage is done, if at all. 

As a specialist tour operator in a competitive UK travel industry, we set our sights high and aim to provide 'trips of a lifetime' for our clients. It's a fine line balancing customer satisfaction with concern for the environment (each one needs to be addressed in turn) however we will continue to strive to play our part in encouraging travellers to travel with care whilst experiencing the unique areas which we feature; whether they be the wilds of Iceland, the wonders of the Galapagos, or indeed the icy expanses of Antarctica. 

Taking Photographs in Antarctica

It's definitely not going to be a problem finding absolutely breathtaking subject matter in Antarctica, but how do you go about capturing it on camera?  Well, for starters, it's best not to place too much emphasis on trying, as there's no way you can truly capture this vast and beautiful continent. Just absorb the peace you feel sitting high up on a bank of snow looking out at what looks like hundreds of mountain peaks stretching as far as the eye can see, or the smell, sound and shere numbers of a nesting ground of gentoos on Aitcho Island, or the gentle plink plunk of melting ice when your zodiac driver cuts the engine and you drift slowly alongside a mammoth iceberg the size of a house..... You can't capture that in a picture, but I still can't help but break into the hugest smile when I flick through my own Antarctic photos.   

Aside from remembering to look at Antarctica not just through a lens, you'll no doubt take some amazing shots to reflect on at home.  There's a great website I found giving some really useful tips and hints at taking photographs around the white continent.  Michael Reichmann gives some useful overviews of what equipment he found worked best in Antarctic conditions. It's worth remembering however that all expedition voyages take place during the Antarctic summertime - when temperatures down there are at their warmest and the coastline becomes alive with breeding wildlife (not the howling blizzard conditions of the South Pole that you so often see in the documentaries).  Anticipate an average of around zero degrees.  Still - you'll need to allow for some possible blizzards (it really is known as the windiest continent for a reason!), cloudy weather and also spells of bright blinding sunshine (don't forget your T-shirts - layering is the way to go)! 

Most people take two cameras (incase one fails), and use extensive zoom lenses for wildlife pictures, as well as polarising lenses (that soak up the colours).  Zooms aren't always necessary, as penguins are absolutely everywhere (even if you try your hardest to stay the specified distance away from them).  Chicks in paritcular can be fearless and curious and often feel the need to check that your Wellington boots really aren't edible (and that goes for coat and rucksack toggles too!).  Zooms are of course very useful for capturing close-ups of seals on ice floes or other wildlife best seen at a distance. I kept my camera warm by stuffing it down the front of my parka - remember that batteries run down more quickly in colder conditions, and mechanics can jam. Also ensure that you have your camera in a waterproof bag to keep out any salt spray thrown up on zodiac rides to the landings.  Take a BIG memory card too- you don't want to be limited and have to cull your images half-way through your trip. Click here for a report by Andrew Curry on professional photographer Rosemary Keogh's experiences - somewhat more extreme than many of our passengers will experience! 

Antarctica - a whopper of a dish of calamari

National Geographic have an amazing picture of a colossal squid, just caught off of Antarctica by fishermen near the Ross Sea area. Measuring the same length as a bus, the animal was sadly tangled up in fishing nets, and was subsequently hauled aboard and frozen.  Now in New Zealand, the animal is set to undergo further tests and research by NZ Scientists.  Apparently, the squid would yield calamari rings the size of tractor tires!  Mind boggling.....

Polar Bears vs Penguins

Never the twain shall meet....  You'd be surprised at how many people I know/have met that have asked if polar bears are 'north or south?', and how many people think penguins live side by side with these huge white carnivores!  Looks like the national curriculum needs a reality check on world wildlife!  Hopefully TV programmes such as Planet Earth and Incredible Journeys have brought the differences between the poles to light (quick recap just incase: polar bears = Arctic = north, and penguins = Antarctica = south).  Meanwhile, thought the picture here was a bit of a classic! 

For some dubious polar jokes (such as Q: Why are penguins such good racing drivers? A: They're always in Pole position!) visit SPRI's website.  Good for a chuckle....

Planet Earth Ice Worlds - Antarctica & the Arctic

The BBC's Planet Earth series kicks off again on BBC1 at 9pm this Sunday (5 November).  The first programme of the new series features the poles - 'Ice World'.  Arctic and Antarctic enthusiasts should be glued to their sets!  The Radio Times this month features a gorgeous Emperor Penguin chick on the front cover - tune in or miss out!

Red Snow and Teenage Gentoos - top tips for travel in Antarctica

WHY TRAVEL TO ANTARCTICA IN LATE FEBRUARY OR MARCH?

Although our Classic Antarctica departures for January 2007 are pretty much sold out, there is some space available aboard M/V Orlova on two departures for the latter end of the Antarctic season: February 20 and March 1, 2007. Late summer in the Antarctic allows the small ships to go farther south and it is the best time for whale-watching, viewing seals and to witness two fascinating natural phenomena - red snow and chick feeding behaviors of Gentoo penguins.

RED SNOW

Algae live in Antarctic snow. They blossom toward the end of the summer (ie. Feb/March), staining the snow so green that it appears to be a patch of grass. The algae-covered snow can be surrounded by white ice and snow. Scientists still haven't determined why the algae just appears in patches. More puzzling still is that a portion of the green algae appears red. Great patches of red snow can be seen from miles away. It is as if a painter has spilled bucket of crimson on the landscape. The only time of year that intrepid Antarctic explorers can see red snow is in late February and early March.

GENTOO PENGUIN CHICK FEEDING BEHAVIOUR

Gentoo Penguins are the only species of penguin to feed their chicks well into adolescence.  Adolescent Gentoo chicks are almost as tall as their parents, but they are covered in varying amounts of fuzzy down (rather like punk rockers with a mohican hairstyle in odd places!).

When their parent returns from the sea with a craw full of krill to share with the hungry chick (just like teenagers, they too are always hungry), the parent stops at the shoreline and calls out. They do not take turns, so the noise is quite something to hear. The 'dinner bell' is usually  heard by more than the chick it's intended for; cue a hungry gaggle of chicks setting off in hot pursue of the parent.  The chase continues until there is only one chick left. Believe it or not, scientists have determined that the biological chick is always the one that remains at the end of the chase. Unbelievable, but true! AND AMUSING!

February or March departures are priced more keenly than the peak Dec and January dates - as well as the amazing (and comical!) sights above, the ice is still spectacular and wildlife is in abundance - Antarctica never ceases to amaze at any time of year - but as time ticks on cabins will no doubt disappear - please do therefore get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

March of the Emperor Penguins - Successful first voyage!

The first ever Emperor Penguin Safari to Snowhill Island, in the Weddell Sea has just returned safely to port, with an extremely satisfied shipload of adventurers! The skill and experience of the Expedition Team and Kapitan Khlebnikov's officers and crew enabled travellers to spend three full days at the Snow Hill rookery in Antarctica. The combination of almost perfect weather and young chicks in the care of adults provided unparalleled photo opportunities.

The second voyage aboard the icebreaker, which is currently underway, arrived at the rookery a day ahead of schedule. Indications are that this will be another smashing success!  Can't wait to see the photos.  Early booking is definitely advised as these voyages are ultra-popular, largely due to the Oscar-winning documentary film, March of the Penguins.

BBC's Planet Earth - Emperor Penguins & Iguazu Falls

  If you missed the BBC's fantastic Planet Earth series earlier this year, then it's well worth having a sneaky peak at their website (choose any dropdown menu and scroll down to 'Planet Earth').  The Emperor penguins clip is just amazing - the conditions that these beautiful birds endure are just incredible!  Also worth a peak is the clip featuring aerial shots of the cascading Iguazu Falls on the Argentinean/Brazilian border - quite spectacular!   Why not combine both in a trip of a lifetime - Emperor penguins in Antarctica (with our 'Emperor Penguin Safari' or our longer Ross Sea itinerary 'The Great Explorer's Voyage').  With voyages departing from South America (departing from Ushuaia at the tip of the continent) the best way of entering Argentina is via Buenos Aires (a lively and colourful city in itself).  The Iguazu Falls can then be reached by a short flight from Buenos Aires (around 1 hr 45 mins).  What a contrasting holiday that would be - the crisp cold and blues of the ice in Antarctica and the lush green subtropical climate of Iguazu and the Falls......  All extensions to our Antarctic voyages are on a tailor-made basis - please contact us to enthuse and discuss!

Antarctic Penguins take Brazilian Beach Holiday!

Here's a story with a happy ending - Brazil’s air force and navy will show their softer side and transport more than 100 penguins to Antarctica next month after the flightless birds were stranded on Rio de Janeiro's beaches.

Each year penguins arrive on Brazil's beaches after being cast adrift on ice floes from their home in Antarctica.  These giant icebergs melt in the vicinity of Brazil’s coastline, leaving the poor penguins to wash up on Rio's beaches every winter. In previous years, many of the birds have then been sadly sent to local zoos, however this time they have a first class ticket back to Antarctica!

A plane carrying equipment for an Antarctic naval base will take the penguins to Brazil’s southernmost region next month. They will then continue their journey on a naval ship, which will eventually release them into Antarctic waters.  Fancy trying to spot the penguin with a suspicious suntan yourself?  Arguably the best way to experience Antarctica is with an expedition voyage - whilst feasting your eyes on the size of the immense bergs dotted with penguins it's easy to see how some could have ended up taking an unexpected beach holiday!

Antarctica voted BBC Holiday Programme's No 1 Trip of a Lifetime!

Are you glued to the BBC Holiday programme each week like us here at Discover the World?  If so then you may have seen that our Classic Antarctica voyage was voted No. 1 Trip of a Lifetime - an accolade which made us all grin from ear to ear!  Seems that presenter Sabah Douglas-Hamilton (you may know her from Big Cat Diaries) has also fallen in love with the breathtaking white continent.  She travelled with us at the end of November to the end of the earth (literally!).  If you missed the programme and are wondering what left Sabah almost speechless (never a good thing for a presenter - except in circumstances like this when the landscape and wildlife speaks for itself!) then you can view a video clip at the BBC's website.  Full details of our Classic Antarctica itinerary can be found on our Discover the World Antarctica webpages.  Alternatively, if you prefer a good old-fashioned brochure then you can order one from our website or contact us with any queries that you may have as we'll be delighted to help!  Discover for yourself why Antarctica really is the Trip of a Lifetime (we're so glad the Beeb agree!).

Save the Albatross Campaign - your help needed!

There is no mistaking the majestic albatross in flight - with a wingspan of around 11ft these birds are simply stunning.  Albatrosses are found in the South Atlantic and often follow the small ships crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica.  These beautiful birds can also be seen on the wildlife-rich island of South Georgia (where Shackleton crossed the mountains on his epic journey following the sinking of the Endurance) as well as Hawaii, Japan and even New Zealand.  Incredibly, albatrosses have been recorded as circumnavigating the globe in just 46 days!

The sad reality is that around 100,000 albatrosses die each year - snared and drowned on longline fishing hooks - that's around one bird every five seconds.  This MUST stop - the species are fast becoming endangered as the number of birds decreases rapidly every year.

How to take action?  Visit the Save the Albatross website and lend your support.  The Albatross Task Force have been hosting a successful workshop in South Africa, training hake longline fisheries and tutoring 'bycatch observers' (officials responsible for managing and minimising bycatch) to look out for albatrosses (read their diaries here).  In further efforts to raise awareness a peculiar-looking albatross has been seen walking the streets of Portsmouth - read more about 'Albie's World' at his own website - which is fun and informative - possibly Albie is the first albatross with his own blog - smart bird!!!!

Penguins - suffering from stress?

There can be no doubt that interest in the Antarctic continent has increased in leaps and bounds over the past few years - we here at Discover the World can bear witness to the popularity of voyages to the continent, however scientists in Antarctica are now reviewing levels of stress in Emperor penguins, which they hope will assist with guidelines created for visitors to the white continent.

Interestingly, the studies have so far show that penguins become stressed and anxious when held or caged for a short period of time, however showed no negative reactions when approaching visitors or campsites of their own accord. Similar studies are being held at British Antarctic Survey base Port Lockroy, which is a popular landing site for Antarctic voyages on the Peninsula.

Discover the World work with three specialist expedition voyage operators, each of whom are members of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators).  IAATO issue strict guidelines regarding movement of visitors to this pristine environment.  In addition these operators use smaller ex-research vessels, carrying smaller groups of passengers whereby the group is easily guided and controlled.  Passengers are fully briefed as to the 'do's and don'ts' in approaching wildlife and the environment in general, ensuring minimum impact and yet maximum benefit for these intrepid explorers.  Smaller groups also allow for greater attention from the expert expedition team, consisting of naturalists, geologists, marine biologists, historians, ornithologists amongst other seasoned Antarctic enthusiasts.

Penguins survived when dinosaurs died...

Researchers studying the world’s oldest fossil penguins have confirmed that some birds are suspected to have survived the mass extinction responsible for wiping out dinosaurs some 65 million years ago.  It is believed that the penguins lived around 60 million years ago in the shallow waters off New Zealand’s east coast.  A molecular study links them to modern penguins.

Associate Professor Ewan Fordyce, from the Univesity of Otago, who co-wrote the study says that penguins are sepcialised birds that evolved much later than other species.  He says, ‘the fact that they have been found within a few million years of the dinosaurs’ extinction is compelling evidence that modern birds must have evolved earlier and diversified during the time of the dinosaurs… it also suggests that many of those bird lineages survived the catastrophe that wiped out the dinosaurs, so it’s unlikely that there was a big turnover, with modern birds only emerging after the mass extinction’.

The New Zealand penguin fossils were found by amateur palaentologist Al Mannering in the Waipara region just north of Christchurch, most of which are officially recognised as the Waimanu penguin genus.  At the time when these birds were alive New Zealand was a low-lying mass situated much closer to Antarctica, however already having separated from the continent itself and Australia.  The Waimanu manneringi closely resembles New Zealand’s yellow-eyed penguin, and would have inhabited a similar habitat. 

Yellow-eyed penguins may also be found in the sub-Antarctic islands (notably Enderby Island), which are visited on longer expedition voyages to the Ross Sea region, aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov (Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica) as well as the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby on the East Antarctica voyage offered by specialist tour operator Discover the World.

Antarctic Birds 'Breeding Later'...

 

A BBC News science correspondent, Paul Rincon, reports that Antarctic seabirds are adapting to climate change by breeding later in the season, according to French researchers studies.  This delayed breeding pattern means that juveniles run the risk of learning vital survival skills increasingly later in the season, resulting in a very short window of time between fledging and the onset of the winter freeze.

It’s incredible to think that compared to the 1950s, birds in Antarctica are arriving at colonies in order to nest around nine days later, however are laying eggs approx. two days later than 50 years ago.    Studies were conducted by ornithologists at the Dumont d’Urville Antarctic research station in the period 1950–2004.    East Antarctica is also incidentally where the popular Oscar-winning documentary film‘March of the Penguins’ was shot.  East Antarctica is one of the least-visited areas around the continent (the Antarctic Peninsula being the most popular destination for Antarctic voyages from South America).

Antarctic voyages themselves often take in the British Antarctic Survey base at Port Lockroy, where resident staff monitor effects of human visitors on the breeding penguins.   Recent reports show that visitors to the site make very little or no impact on the nesting penguins there.

 

 

Icebergs in Antarctica

If you’re looking for immense icebergs, then the Antarctic Peninsula’s Weddell Sea region is the place to go.  Just around the tip of the peninsula, through the Antarctic Sound and into the Erebus and Terror Gulf you will find ‘Iceberg Alley’.  This is where the huge tabular icebergs break from the Larsen, Ronne and Filchner ice shelves to the south, and combine with one-year-old ice and multi-year ice to produce a floating panorama of rugged iceberg scenery.

The 2004–5 summer season in particular was especially active for large icebergs breaking off of the immense ice sheets.  In February 2005 an iceberg roughly twice the size of Dallas broke off of the Larsen B iceshelf, located in the Bellinghausen/Weddell Sea region north east of the  Peninsula.  The iceberg, measuring approx. 16 by 35 nautical miles, had been catalogued as A-53. 

Until recent years the Larsen B iceshelf had endured several millennia without such a major change!   Larsen B experienced several fractures, eventually breaking free of the Antarctic Peninsula, a finger of the southernmost continent, in 2002.  The collapse was attributed to a warming climate.  Scientists have watched nearby glaciers, which are like giant, slow-moving ice rivers, flow into the sea several times faster than before.  They say the ice shelf, now gone, served as a dam.  

According to scientists, four glaciers previously held back by the Larsen B shelf travelled no more than 460 metres every year prior to the shelf’s collapse.  Less than a year afterwards, they were moving along at a startling rate of 2 miles per year.  Studies by scientsist show very clearly that glaciers which flow into ice shelves are partically controlled by the presence of the shelf, which acts as a kind of braking system. Fascinating stuff!  See for yourself the amazing tabular icebergs characteristic of this region; Discover the World offer small-ship voyages to the Weddell Sea aboard ice-strengthened ex-research vessels.

Early 2005 saw the world’s largest known iceberg  B15A (a 100–mile long iceberg) run aground three miles from the six–mile long glacier known as the Drygalski Ice Tongue, in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.  B15A blocked wind and water currents that break up ice floes in McMurdo Sound during the Antarctic summer, causing a build-up of ice behind it.  The United States’ McMurdo Station and New Zealand’s Scott Base are located on the sound, and Italy’s Terra Nova base is nearby.   Discover the World passengers enjoying a Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica Voyage in January 2005 actually experienced the thrill of landing ontop of B15A and toasted the event with a nicely chilled glass of champagne. This same voyage (from Argentina to Australasia) is offered on 13 November 2006, aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov.   Space is limited therefore early booking is highly recommended!

 

Penguin Webcam - live pictures

I’ve recently discovered a ‘penguin webcam’ linked to a German website of an Antarctic base (O’Higgins) located in the Weddell Sea/Peninsula area of the continent.    It’s been fascinating to spy on the cheeky gentoo penguins and watch them over the past few weeks.  I’ll be sure to keep a sharp eye on them come next Austral summer – it always astounds me how incredible technology is that we can look at pictures of penguins in Antarctica that have been taken just within the last hour, and see life from a very different part of this beautiful planet.  It’s a bizarre concept sitting here at my desk at Discover the World and looking into their world from so far away. 

Do click through to the website – it’s definitely one to save in your favourites in my opinion.  If you look back into the history/gallery section of the website you can see images from a few months back (Nov/Dec) whereby the gentoos were nesting and the chicks then hatching. 

The images that are currently shown on the website (as at beginnning March 06) show just how the weather is unpredictable, and will be starting to close shortly; which is unsurprising as the summer is indeed now coming to a close.  Visitors to Antarctica in the latter part of the season will still see ice and awe-inspiring scenery (and benefit from lower voyage prices), however it’s worth remembering that the penguins will be moving off into the oceans shortly (and the juvenile penguins that were just eggs not so long ago will find their endurance and survival skills pushed to the limit).  The end of the Antarctic Voyage season is however well-known to be the best time to see whales (humpbacks, orca, minke….).  The Antarctic voyage season runs from approx. beginning November to mid-March each year (when the continent is accessible due to pack ice melting in the summer sunshine and temperatures rising).  Discover the World offer voyages to Antarctica aboard the smaller expedition vessels (the ‘Adventure Fleet’) as well as the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov.  Voyages that take in the Weddell Sea in particular are the Weddell Sea Voyage, In Search of the Emperor Penguin and the Emperor Penguin Safari.

Gentoo penguins (as well as chinstrap, Adelie and macaroni penguins) are found at various points along the Antarctic Peninsula (Classic Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula Voyages) practically in their millions at different rookeries and landing points in this spectacular area. Zodiacs transfer passengers from the vessel to shore, where you are then free to explore and watch the abundant wildlife for several hours at a time. Cameras at the ready!

For help and advice in choosing which voyage is right for you, please visit our website or contact us for further details – our specialist team have first-hand experience of the Great White Continent we will be happy to chat to you about our favourite subject – Antarctica!