Mikkelsen Harbour on Trinity Island

This morning on our second day in Antarctica we woke to find snow on our
front deck. We disembarked to visit Mikkelsen Harbour. There we saw a
seal and more penguins. One of the guides showed us a penguin egg shell
that had probably been stolen by one of the birds in the area. We are a
couple of weeks from the baby penguin hatching.

It was snowing while we toured this area which is unusual for this time
of year. It is causing problems for the nesting penguins. While they
incubate the eggs, the penguins need to keep them dry and warm. The
falling snow is filling their nests and as the snow melts it will cause
water to pool in the nest and cause the eggs to get too cold. The guide
thought that many of the nesting penguins in this area would lose their
young this season.

Steph says: We did see a bird who was looking for a vulnerable egg. At
one point, he got too close to a group
of Penguins who shrieked and scared him away. The Penguins were all
standing around aimlessly which indicated
to the guide that they were finished with breeding and soon would head
back to the ocean. It was also a sign
that probably a number of eggs hadn't survived.

It was surprisingly warm. I didn't expect to be so comfortable but then
I am wearing tights, leggings, a fleece layer
and waterproof pants. The jackets are very warm. I only wear two layers
- a thermal shirt and a fleece top underneath.

I am gradually gaining more confidence about getting in and out of the
Zodiac and navigating the steep snow
and ice. Our heavy rubber knee high boots are big and ungainly. We are
always instructed to turn and face the water when we get out in case a
wave hits the boat.

This afternoon, we are taking a two hour Zodiac trip to look at ice. I
am hoping we will also see a whale or more seals.
The Weddell Seals don't live in colonies so we have only see one or two
on shore. I am excited about seeing a Leopard Seal, a major Penguin
predator.

There are a lot of people using Go Pro Cameras so I bought one to mount
on my head. I love the idea of not having
to take off my gloves to take a photo and being able to capture things
as they happen. Hopefully, I will have some good footage to share!