Photographing Penguins in Antarctica

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025 - Zodiac cruise through the Melchior Islands. The excursion included close observation of icebergs, seabirds, whales, and multiple penguin species (Chinstrap and Gentoo) before returning to the ship.

We spent two days sailing across the Drake Passage. The weather was great and the ship made good time. We arrived in Antarctica early, and the Polar Expedition team was able to arrange a zodiac tour of Melchior Islands on New Years Eve.

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As we were approaching the Melchior Islands we were all on the outside with cameras. Here is a Cape petrel flying in light snow near the ship.
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A Fin whale created excitement when it appeared at the back of the ship.
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We saw our first icebergs!!!!
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Ice and snow covered the islands. This was Antarctica.
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We disembarked into 10-person zodiac boats for our first experience in Antarctica.

A look back at our ship MS Seaventure.
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The icebergs were beautiful. It is hard to understand how forces underwater carve the pieces of ice.
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A ragged edge on an iceberg.
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Patterns on the iceberg caused by escaping air bubbles finding their way to the surface of the ocean.
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A cloudy sky late in the day (the sun would not set until 1 in the morning) caused a dramatic setting for the icebergs.
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You could glimpse the earth and rock under the snow and ice sometimes. We were in awe as we rode around the islands.
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The patterns on the ice were so interesting.
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We snuck up on a sleeping Chinstrap penguin on a rocky outcrop.

Chinstrap penguins microsleep over 10,000 times a day and achieve this in 4-second bouts of sleep. The penguins accumulate over 11 hours of sleep daily
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The Chinstrap was on a rock near the ocean and seemed not to notice us.
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Then he woke up - so cute with their chinstrap.

There are about 8 million of these little penguins living in the southern polar region around the world.
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Snow gripping the island rock.
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A chubby Chinstrap penguin on the rocks.
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Blue ice in an unusual formation.
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Close up view of the patterns on an iceberg.
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I was captured by the patterns in the icebergs, and we were so close in the small boats.
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Dramatic ice sculptures.
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A Chinstrap penguin lets out a cry.
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Graceful iceberg floating along.
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An Antarctic shag in Antarctica!!
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Two Gentoo penguins discuss the weather.

The total breeding population is estimated to be over 600,000 birds.
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The Gentoo penguins watch an iceberg float by.
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A Snowy Sheathbill demonstrating its camouflage - white on white. The Snowy Sheathbill is the only land bird native to the Antarctic continent and the only Antarctic bird species without webbed feet.
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Snowy Sheathbill finds its food on land. It is an omnivore, a scavenger, and will eat nearly anything.
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A very large iceberg as we head back to the ship.

New Years celebration was waiting for us when we got back - I was too tired and did not wait up. As it turns out, a ship sent a distress call near midnight. Our ship responded, picking up a crew member who was severally burned our ship then transferred him to a second cruise ship which was headed back to Ushuaia. All while I was sleeping.
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