Evening Zodiac Cruise

Last night was the first non-windy, briefly sunny, non-rainy evening, so I found another person to go out in the zodiac with me (you have to travel in pairs, for safety reasons), at 6pm to go for a short cruise. We were quickly rewarded by beautiful images of this iceberg,

penguins hanging out on another large iceberg, and

a large humpback whale who seems interested in our boat for a while. We also saw two of the resident leopard seals, antarctic terns, skuas, kelp gulls, giant petrels, and Wilson's storm petrels. Not bad for a 1.5 hour cruise.

CeSealia Briefly Returns and LuSeal Visits

After 4 weeks away CeSealia returned to Palmer. She went right up to her usual place until scared away by the opening of the boathouse garage. Look how much she has grown.

4 weeks ago.

LuSeal (or is it LouSeal?) is currently visiting station. With a high tide, the boat ramp is a perfect exit for our pinneped friends. In fact, while taking photos of LuSeal, another elephant seal started coming up the ramp.

Name?

Happy Holidays

On the first night of Hanukkah we were blessed with a beautiful, handmade menorah,

magnificent icebergs ...

that prevented our "escape",

but was a resting place for a happy, blond crabeater seal.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Icebergs, Lots of Icebergs

In the last several days large icebergs have blown in from the south and have filled Arthur Harbor and Hero Inlet. Saw a crabeater seal sleeping on one of the ice flows and a leopard seal was playing on and around one of the bergs. Two humpbacks whales were spotted this evening. And of course we had gentoo and Adelie penguins visiting the neighborhood.

Neil Armstrong at Palmer

When the National Geographic Explorer came back for a second visit we where priveleged to meet THE Neil Armstrong. He was given a tour of the station and then we boated over to the Explorer and listened to a lecture by Neil which was amazing. He is a brilliant speaker and witty too.

The Icebreaker and Research Vessel NB Palmer also visited station a few days ago. She is the big sister to the LM Gould (which brought us down here and resupplies us every month). I got a chance to look around the ship and talk extensively with the EMT on board as I am the contact person if the ship needs a medical consult.

 

Although we could not be certain - we were thinking this might be C. Sealia - our elephant seal pup who lived with up for a few days. This little one was lounging nearby and quickly drew our attention.

Sunset at Palmer

We are having incredible sunsets at around 11pm, then we get fantastic sunrises around 3 am.

This last week we have seen an increasing frequency of Humpback whales. A few of us got out in the zodiacs and followed them. One whale started smacking its tail on the water right in front of us. Unfortunately I have no good pictures as I was trying to watch and guess where to point the camera.

Thanksgiving at Palmer

 

Pre-Thanksgiving zodiac to Torgensen Island.

 

Dinner. There are currently 35 of us at Palmer.

Tofurkey.
 

Desert table.

Where pumpkin pies really come from.

 

How we feel after Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Nails

Penguin

 

Elephant Seal

More Visitors

This young elephant seal moved onto our boathouse deck yesterday. He seems quit comfortable around us and just took a poop on the deck.

This morning while visiting the elephant seal, I heard a lot of snorting below the boathouse, near the water. I soon found this juvenile elephant seal poke his head up to check me out.

It's always exciting to see an Adelie penguin walking around on station.

Palmer Visitors

The National Geographic Explorer visited station yesterday bringing tourists from all over the world.  We enjoyed taking them on a tour of the station, feeding them the world-famous Palmer Station brownies, and sharing experiences.

2 Chinstrap penguins came ashore this evening. They are related to the Gentoo and Adelie penguins - the species make up the brush-tailed penguins.

Marr Ice Piedmont Glacier

The Marr Ice Piedmont Glacier covers most of Anvers Island, where Palmer is located.

From our backyard we can walk on to the glacier. At the base we have our Snowbulance, in case there is an injury and the Glacier Search and Rescue team needs to assist.

7pm, Oct 30-Nov 5

NASA Flies Over Palmer

NASA flew a DC-8 over Palmer the other day so we got out the red float coats and said "Hi". NASA is using the plane to survey glaciers to see how they are changing over time. Photo credit: John Arvensen.

Photo credit: Jon Brack

Elephant Seal Visits Palmer

This young male elephant seal hung out at Palmer for 2 days after getting into a fight with another male, probably over a female seal. This is typical behavior for the male elephant seals. He had multiple cuts all over his body. We enjoyed his visit, though we worried all 4000# of him would go over the pipe and break it - he did go over it but the pipe survived.

Big Boy

Nearby is Elephant Island where this guy was just hanging out in the shallow waters.

Adelies

After dinner a few of us took a ride in the zodiac to Torgesen Island where the Adelie penguin population has now gone form 2 (see earlier photos) to hundreds. Soon we will be seeing eggs and then baby penguins.

Images of Jo at Palmer

Returning from skiing to see the baby elephant seal in 40 knot winds.

Moving heavy items at the station.

Practicing how to get back in the zodiac - yes I'm wearing an immersion suit (like a dry suit), so I'm quite warm and dry.

Playing infant-sized drums during band rehearsal in the dive locker.

Practicing for GSAR (Glacier Search and Rescue).