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).

Sunday Walk on the Glacier behind Palmer

 

Currently sea ice surrounds Palmer. This changes, often on a daily basis, based on wind conditions. Some days there is no sea ice. Other days it is like this.

 

Flags mark the limits of where we can walk on the glacier to prevent falling into crevasses.

 View from the highest point on the glacier that we can access.

The Infamous Leopard Seal

This guy has been hanging our near the station, probably waiting for the penguins to return. Look at those teeth!

First Gentoo Penguin

This lone Gentoo penguin is hanging out around Palmer Station.

Sunset at Palmer

 

Penguins!

 

 

We spotted 2 Adelie Penguins today - the first of the season.

Antarctic Fur Seals

Fur Seals like to hang out together on ice flows or in the water.

Snowy Sheathbill

These pigeon-like birds are scavengers. They steal food from other birds, take eggs and, they especially like penguin poop.