Well we have been very fortunate to have the weather cooperating with us. It was feared that Hercules Bay would be too foggy to see the cliffs, but as it turned out, it was spectacular! We were treated to zodiac rides around the bay to view the extraordinary rock formations, a lovely 3 tiered waterfall, more seals, birds and finally a lot of Macaroni Penguins...my personal favorites. They received their name from Italian explorers who thought their yellow/orange feathers on their foreheads looked like the fancy hats worn by men at that time. They are energetic little characters that swim in, looking like small dolphins jumping out of the water, after foraging for food in the ocean to small inlets like Hercules Bay. Then they have to wait for a wave to boost them onto the rocky sheer cliffs, then work their way up the face of these cliffs using their sharp beaks and very sharp talons to the grassy areas above the cliffs where their nesting area is. They have a series of Macaroni highway switchbacks that lead them to the top.
Our zodiac "cruise" was so special. Each group was accompanied by one of the expedition guides. They were able to explain all about what we were seeing while allowing ample time for photographs. While floating around we were greeted by a zodiac loaded with staff from the ship handing out glasses of champagne accompanied by truffles and cookies to enhance our excursion. How great was that?!
 |
Our new friends, Jim and Kathy Beard. The live in San Diego, but we found out they lived in our subdivision in
Las Vegas! |
The day came to a close when we boarded the ship around 5:30pm and began the next 2 days at sea headed for the Antarctic Peninsula. Again we are having big winds and the "barf bags" are hanging on the hallway railings, but Rick and I are doing fine. Fewer people this morning for the Penguin lecture, so apparently not everyone is doing OK. The staff showed the Shackleton documentary film in the theater today. Still to this day considered the most extraordinary Antarctic expedition ever. And yet we grumble about a little rocking and rolling!
 |
| Lowering the zodiacs for our cruise...that is our veranda in the foreground! |
Hope you enjoy the pics from Hercules Bay. Next posting in two days when we reach Antarctica!!!
Cheers! Rick & Paula
 |
| Example of how high above the water level the cliffs are when the Macaroni Penguin start their hike to the grassy nesting area |
 |
| Grassy nesting areas above the cliffs. White dots are Macaroni Penguins |
 |
| Two Macaroni's trying to scale the cliffs...some would tumble all the way back down and have to start over |
 |
| Part of the "Macaroni Hiway" |
 |
| Macaroni Penguins ride the surf up to the cliffs, then hop onto the rocks...most of the time! |
 |
| Macaroni Penguins..you can see their yellow feathers on their foreheads |
 |
| Macaroni Penguin Cliffs |
 |
| Hang on!!! |
 |
| Beautiful Macaroni Penguins |
 |
| Oops! This Gentoo Penguin must be on the exchange program with the lone Macaroni we saw the other day! |
 |
| Perspective of the size of the cliffs. |
 |
| Wind and ice erosion gave the mountains a burled wood look |
 |
| Kelp beds look like giant snakes in the water |
 |
| 3 tiered water fall from the snow melt |
No comments:
Post a Comment